Method and apparatus for preventing data copying from a disk using data lengths too large for a pirate medium

ABSTRACT

Recording data is recorded on a CD-ROM so as to satisfy a relationship expressed as W≧D and W&gt;m where W is the data length of recording data recorded on the CD-ROM, D is the data length of effective data useful for being accessed (system area, file groups selected when data is edited and retrieval data such as volume descriptor, path table and directory) and m is the maximum recordable data length of a blank disk of a CD-ROM to which data recorded on the CD-ROM is copied. Then, when the relationship between the recording data length W and the effective data length D is expressed by W&gt;D, said recording data contains randomly quasi-data useless for being accessed. Further, a part (e.g., path table) of the retrieval data is arranged at the end of the recording data upon recording. Thus, an illegal copy from the CD-ROM to a blank disk becomes substantially useless, thereby making it possible to effectively protect a copyright of the CD-ROM.

TECHNICAL FIELD

1. FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION!

The present invention relates to a data recording method for effectivelypreventing illegal data duplication (copy) between disk-like recordingmediums such as a read-only optical disk (CD-ROM, etc.), a write onceoptical disk (CD-R, etc.), a recordable optical disk (magneto-opticaldisk, etc.) or magnetic disk, a data recording apparatus and disk-likerecording medium which can realize the data recording method and acomputer system and a data copy preventing method for preventing illegaldata copy between the disk-like recording mediums when one system isarranged by using these disk-like recording mediums.

2. BACKGROUND ART

As a disk-like recording medium (referred to hereinafter as an opticaldisk) on and from which an information signal is recorded and reproducedby laser beam, there are now commercially available a so-called compactdisc with audio data recorded therein, a CD-ROM in which computer datais recorded, a write once optical disk on which an information signalcan be recorded once and a recordable optical disk in which aninformation signal can be reproduced, recorded and erased.

The read-only optical disk such as a compact disc or CD-ROM has trackson which irregular patterns, i.e., phase pits are concentrically orspirally formed on the basis of a recorded information signal formed onone surface thereof. Specifically, the read-only optical disk iscomposed of a disk base plate made of a transparent synthetic resin suchas polycarbonate or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), a reflection filmmade of a metal such as Al or Au formed so as to cover phase pits formedon one surface of the disk base plate and a protection layer formed soas to cover the reflection film in order to protect the reflection film.

When an information signal is reproduced from the read-only opticaldisk, laser beam from a laser light source is converged by an objectivelens and irradiated on the read-only optical disk from the disk baseplate side. Reflected light flux modulated by the phase pits on theoptical disk is detected by a photodetector, for example, and convertedinto a detected signal having a signal level corresponding to anintensity of reflected light flux, thereby allowing a reproduced signalof the information signal recorded on the read-only optical disk to beobtained.

While the read-only optical disk can provide mass-produced products(optical disks) inexpensively on the market, it is not suitable forproducts of small demand. For this end, write once optical disks areprepared for optical disk products of small demand and a variety of datacan be provided to the user easily.

As write once optical disks, there are available a write once opticaldisk of recording system using physical chemical change of pigment, awrite once optical disk of a single layer hole forming recording system,a write once optical disk of multi-layer hole forming recording system,a write once optical disk of phase-change recording system and a writeonce optical disk of bubble-foaming system. Upon reproduction, in amanner similar to the read-only optical disk, a laser beam (having aweak reproduction laser power) from a laser light source is irradiatedon the disk from the disk base plate side under the condition that thelaser beam is converged by an objective lens. Then, reflected light fluxthat is modulated by previously-recorded pits is detected by aphotodetector and the detected signal is converted into a detectedsignal having a signal level corresponding to an intensity of areflected light bundle, thereby obtaining a reproduced signal of aninformation signal recorded on the write once optical disk.

When an information signal is recorded on the above write once opticaldisk, a laser beam (having a strong recording laser power) from a laserlight source is irradiated on the optical disk from the disk base plateside under the condition that the laser beam is converged by anobjective lens. Then, the power of the laser beam is turned on and offby modulating the laser beam in response to an information signal andpits (pits substantially similar to those recorded on the read-onlyoptical disk) corresponding to the information signal are formed alongrecording tracks of the optical disk.

Specifically, in the case of the single layer hole forming recordingsystem, a hole is formed on the recording track at an area irradiatedwith a strong laser beam and this hole is recorded as a pit. In the caseof a multi-layer hole forming recording system, a hole is formed on therecording track at an area irradiated with a strong laser beam, e.g.,the film of the first layer and the hole on the first layer are recordedas a pit.

In the case of the phase change recording system, a portion of therecording track irradiated with a strong laser beam is changed from theamorphous state to the crystal state and the portion that was changed tothe crystal state is recorded as a pit. In the case of the bubblefoaming recording system, of the recording tracks, a recording layer ofthe portion irradiated with a strong laser beam is upheaved and theupheaved portion is recorded as a pit.

In the write once optical disk, in particular, a guide groove is formed(pre-groove portion) to allow tracking control of laser beam. An endface opposing the pre-groove is formed as a sine wave shape (generallyreferred to as a wobble shape) having a predetermined amplitude and apredetermined period along the track. When this wobble shape isoptically detected by laser beam, it is possible to obtain a wobblesignal serving as absolute time information.

The wobble signal is used to control the system of the recording andreproducing apparatus and, in particular, the timing information forrecording pits on the optical disk. Further, the wobble signal is usedto servo-control an optical disk rotating and driving means, e.g., aspindle motor. According to the servo control operation, the rotationalspeed of the spindle motor is controlled such that the period of thewobble signal becomes constant.

The above write once optical disk is generally of a groove recording 10system where pits are recorded on the pre-groove portion. Wheninformation data that is to be recorded on the write once optical diskis recorded, a target position is synchronously searched based on theperiod of the wobble signal obtained by optically detecting the wobbleshape formed on the pre-groove portion. When the target position isdetected, the above information data that is to be recorded on the writeonce optical disk is recorded on the target position according to apredetermined format.

On the other hand, upon reproduction, a target position is searched asdescribed above. When the target position is detected, based on a framesynchronizing signal inserted into the data to be recorded on the writeonce optical disk, 2 kilobytes of data, for example, are sequentiallyread out, thereby reproducing recorded data.

Since the read-only optical disk and the write once optical disk are thesame in reproduction principle as described above, even when the writeonce optical disk is loaded onto a reproducing apparatus whichreproduces an information signal from the read-only optical disk, datarecorded on the write once optical disk can be reproduced withoutdistinction of the read-only optical disk.

In addition, the write once optical disk has a feature that allows anumber of optical disks to be easily produced by relatively simpleequipment.

For this reason, there is the risk that the write once optical disk willbe illegally copied (illegal copy).

Specifically, initially, there is a computer system wherein areproducing apparatus for reproducing an information signal from aread-only optical disk is connected to one external input and outputterminal of a personal computer used by the end user. For example, andan external storage device for recording and reproducing an informationsignal on and from the write once optical disk is connected to anotherexternal input and output terminal. Then, recorded data that had beenread out from the read-only optical disk by the reproducing apparatusare all written in the write once optical disk by the external storagedevice, thereby producing a pirate edition of the read-only opticaldisk.

In this case, if the read-only optical-disk is a CD-ROM where computerdata (including computer program) are recorded, then a pirate edition ofgame software can be easily produced. If the read-only optical disk is acompact disc (CD) where music information are recorded, then it becomespossible to easily produce a pirate edition of the compact disc.

Since computer programs are copyrighted material protected by copyright,copies--except those made by the regular user, i.e., registered userswho accepted the software license agreement (software licenseagreement)--for backup or copies for the hard disk are illegal.

Further, copy for thoroughly copying recorded data on the CD-ROM whichis a copyright material to the write once optical disk for the purposeof action of concession in distribution is also illegal and such illegalaction for obtaining unfair profit should be prevented.

Furthermore, an act wherein a regular user makes a free distribution forthose who are not regular users in an enterprise or CAI (ComputerAssisted Instruction) is regarded as serious.

At present, there are a variety of proposed methods for copy protectionmany of which have been reduced to practice. On the other hand, asoftware (program or the like) called "copy tool" used in removing copyprotection is now commercially available. Short of the user's ownconscience, there is currently no other way to prevent the illegalcopying of recorded data.

In view of the aforesaid, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a data recording method wherein an illegal copy betweendisk-like recording mediums can be effectively protected even against acopy tool and in which copyrighted material (recorded data) recorded onthe disk-like recording medium can be protected.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a datarecording apparatus which can easily realize a data recording methodcapable of effectively preventing an illegal copy between disk-likerecording mediums.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disk-likerecording medium having a data recording form such that an illegal copybetween disk-like recording mediums can be effectively prevented.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acomputer system wherein when a plurality of external storage devicesusing disk-like recording mediums are connected to a computer, and anillegal copy among the disk-like recording mediums in these externalstorage devices can be prevented effectively.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a datacopy preventing method in which an illegal copy between disk-likerecording mediums can be effectively prevented even by a copy tool andin which copyrighted material (recorded data) recorded on the disk-likerecording medium can be protected.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a data recordingmethod for recording data on a disk-like recording medium which iscomprised of a step (a) for making recording data which satisfies arelationship expressed as M≧W≧D where M is the maximum recordable datalength defined by the standard of the disk-like recording medium, W isthe data length of recording data recorded on the disk-like recordingmedium, and D is the data length of effective data accessed of therecording data and a step (b) for recording the recording data made atthe step (a) on the disk-like recording medium.

Therefore, when the recording data is copied to another disk-likerecording medium having a maximum recordable data length shorter thanthe recording data length W, if the effective data length D is the sameas the recording data length W, for example, then the recording data isforced to be copied under the condition that a part of the effectivedata is dropped.

Accordingly, even when the user intends to obtain expected and desiredprogram operation and information from the effective data by use ofanother disk-like recording medium, data and information necessary forthe desired program operation are not complete and such data andinformation are useless as copied data and information. Thus, theillegal copying from the disk-like recording medium to another disk-likerecording medium can be substantially prevented.

If the effective data length is shorter than the recording data lengthW, then the effective data can be spatially spaced apart and recordedand an important key file can be recorded on the end portion of therecording data, for example. Also in this case, when the recording datais copied to another disk-like recording medium, the recording data iscopied under the condition that a part of the effective data is dropped.Therefore, the illegal copy from the disk-like recording medium toanother disk-like recording medium can be prevented substantially.

In particular, according to the above-mentioned method, the recordingdata having a relationship of W>m is made at the step (a) when a maximumrecordable data length of other data recordable disk-like recordingmedium is m in association with the disk-like recording medium. In thiscase, when the recording data is copied to another disk-like recordingmedium to which recording data is copied, the recording data is copiedto another disk-like recording medium under the condition that a part ofthe effective data is dropped as described above. Therefore, the illegalcopying to another disk-like recording medium can be substantiallyprevented.

According to the above-mentioned method, when a relationship between therecording data length W and the effective data length is W>D, therecording data having a relationship of W>m is made by adding invaliddata to the effective data in the step (a).

In this case, it becomes possible to use the recording form such thatthe effective data cannot be copied completely if the invalid data isnot removed when copying is carried out. Thus, those who intend to dothe illegal copying are forced to do difficult work, such as detectingand removing the invalid data.

Therefore, it is possible to effectively lower the probability that theillegal copy will be achieved. This leads to substantial prevention ofillegal copying.

In the above-mentioned method, the invalid data may have an invisibleattribute. In this case, it is frequently observed that those who areskilled in operating a personal computer can record the effective dataon another disk-like recording medium by searching the position of theinvalid data with a DIR command, for example, and by removing theinvalid data in order to execute the illegal copy from the disk-likerecording medium to another disk-like recording medium on the picturedisplayed on the display. If the invalid data has invisible attributes,then the above-mentioned operation becomes meaningless. Therefore, itbecomes possible to reliably prevent illegal copying by those who areskilled in operating the personal computer.

In the above-mentioned method, part of the effective data may berearranged. In this case, there is very a small probability that a partof the rearranged data will be recorded on another disk-like recordingmedium to which data is copied. Thus, data is copied to anotherdisk-like recording medium under the condition that a part of theeffective data is dropped. Therefore, the illegal copy can be prevented.

In the above-mentioned method, a part of the data may be arranged at theend of the recording data. In this case, when the effective datarecorded on the disk-like recording medium, for example, is forciblycopied to another disk-like recording medium, since the maximumrecordable data length of another disk-like recording medium is set tobe shorter than the recording data length of the disk-like recordingmedium, there is then the large probability that data wherein a part ofdata arranged at the end is dropped will be recorded as the datarecorded on another disk-like recording medium or data where a part ofdata is dropped is constantly recorded on another disk-like recordingmedium. Therefore, it becomes possible to make the copy to anotherdisk-like recording medium substantially impossible.

In the above-mentioned method, the effective data comprises real datacomposed of a number of file groups and retrieval data used to retrievethe real data and the part of data is a part or whole of the retrievaldata. In this case, since data where a part or whole of the retrievaldata, which is a part of the data, is recorded on another disk-likerecording medium, even when another disk-like recording medium is loadedon and reproduced by an external storage device or a reproducingapparatus, for example, the effective data cannot be retrieved andanother disk-like recording medium becomes substantially useless.Therefore, illegal copying to another disk-like recording medium can besubstantially prevented.

Incidentally, a retrieval key file for the execution or text filescontained in the effective data can be used as the retrieval data.

Further, in a data recording apparatus according to the presentinvention, a data recording apparatus for recording data on a disk-likerecording medium is comprised of a recording data making means formaking recording data which satisfies a relationship expressed as M≧W≧Dwhere M is the maximum recordable data length defined by the standard ofthe disk-like recording medium, W is the data length of recording datarecorded on the disk-like recording medium and D is the data length ofeffective data accessed of the recording data, and a recording means forrecording the recording data made by the recording data making means onthe disk-like recording medium.

Therefore, when the recording data is copied to another disk-likerecording medium having a maximum recordable data length shorter thanthe recording data length W, if the effective data length D is the sameas the recording data length W, for example, then the recording data iscopied on another disk-like recording medium under the condition that apart of the effective data is dropped.

Accordingly, even when the user intends to obtain expected and desiredprogram operation and information from the effective data by use ofanother disk-like recording medium, since data and information necessaryfor the desired program operation are not complete, they are not usefulas copied material. Therefore, the illegal copy from the disk-likerecording medium to another disk-like recording medium can besubstantially prevented.

If the effective data length is shorter than the recording data lengthW, then the effective data can be spatially spaced apart and recorded oran important key file can be recorded on the end portion of recordingdata, for example. Also in this case, when the recording data is copiedto another disk-like recording medium, the recording data is copiedunder the condition that a part of the effective data is dropped.Therefore, the illegal copy from the disk-like recording medium toanother disk-like recording medium can be substantially prevented.

In the above-mentioned arrangement, the data making means makes therecording data have a relationship of W>m when a maximum recordable datalength of other data recordable disk-like recording mediums is m inassociation with the disk-like recording medium.

In this case, when the recording data is copied to another disk-likerecording medium to which the recording data is copied, as describedabove, the recording data is copied to another disk-like recordingmedium under the condition that a part of the effective data is dropped.Therefore, the illegal copy to another disk-like recording medium can beprevented substantially.

Specifically, when a relationship between the recording data length Wand the effective data length is W>D, the recording data making meansmakes the recording data having a relationship of W>m by adding invaliddata to the effective data.

Therefore, the recording data making means makes the recording data byadding the invalid data to the effective data. Thereafter, the datarecording means records the recording data on the disk-like recordingmedium.

In this case, it becomes possible to use the recording form such that,when the recording data is copied to another disk-like recording medium,if the invalid data is not removed, then the effective data cannot becompleted. Therefore, those who do the illegal copying are forced todetect and remove the invalid data. Thus, it is possible to effectivelylower the probability that the illegal copy will be made. This leads tosubstantial prevention of illegal copying.

Further, in the above-mentioned arrangement, the recording data makingmeans includes an attribute setting means for setting the invalid dataon an effective data management file as an invisible attribute. In thiscase, since the above attribute setting means makes the invalid data aninvisible attribute, this becomes effective for the following cases.

Specifically, it is frequently observed that those who are skilled inoperating a personal computer can record the effective data on anotherdisk-like recording medium by searching for the position of the invaliddata with a DIR command, for example, and by removing the invalid datain order to execute the illegal copy from the disk-like recording mediumto another disk-like recording medium on the picture displayed on thedisplay. If the invalid data has invisible attributes, then theabove-mentioned operation becomes meaningless. Therefore, it becomespossible to reliably prevent illegal copying by those who are skilled inoperating personal computers.

In the above-mentioned arrangement, the recording data making meansincludes a rearrangement means for rearranging a part of the effectivedata.

In this case, as described above, the recording data making means makesrecording data by adding the invalid data to the effective data.According to the present invention, the rearrangement means makes thefinal recording data by rearranging a part of the effective data. Then,the data recording means records the recording data on the disk-likerecording medium.

Accordingly, when the recording data recorded on the disk-like recordingmedium is copied to another disk-like recording medium, there is then avery small probability that a part of the rearranged data will berecorded on another disk-like recording medium to which the copy ismade. As a consequence, the recording data is copied to anotherdisk-like recording medium under the condition that a part of theeffective data is dropped, and the invalid data also is recorded onanother disk-like recording medium. Therefore, it is possible toreliably prevent the illegal copy.

In the above-mentioned arrangement, the rearrangement means arranges apart of the data at the end of the recording data. In this case, of therecording data made by the recording data making means, part of theeffective data is taken out and rearranged at the end of the recordingdata by the rearrangement means and thus a final recording data is made.

Therefore, if the effective data recorded on the disk-like recordingmedium, for example, is forced to be copied to another disk-likerecording medium, then since the maximum recordable data length ofanother disk-like recording medium is set to be shorter than therecording data length of the disk-like recording medium, there is thelarge probability that data where a part of data arranged at the end isdropped will be recorded as the data to be recorded on another disk-likerecording medium or data wherein a part of data is dropped willconstantly be recorded. Therefore, it becomes possible to substantiallydisable the copy to another disk-like recording medium.

In the above-mentioned arrangement, the effective data is comprised ofreal data composed of a number of file groups and retrieval data used toretrieve the real data and the part of data is a part or whole of theretrieval data.

In this case, since data wherein a part or whole of the retrieval dataforming a part of the data is dropped is recorded on another disk-likerecording medium, even when another disk-shaped recording medium isloaded onto and reproduced by the external storage device or thereproducing apparatus. For example, the effective data cannot beretrieved and another disk-like recording medium becomes substantiallyuseless. Therefore, the illegal copy to another disk-like recordingmedium can be substantially prevented.

The retrieval key files of the execution and text files contained in theeffective data can be used as the retrieval data.

Further, in a disk-like recording medium according to the presentinvention, recording data which satisfies a relationship expressed asM≧W≧D is recorded where M is the maximum recordable data length definedby the standard of the disk-like recording medium, W is the data lengthof recording data recorded on the disk-like recording medium and D isthe data length of effective data accessed of the recording data.

In this case, when the recording data recorded on the disk-likerecording medium is copied to another disk-like recording medium havingthe maximum recordable data length shorter than the recording datalength by use of an external storage device (composed of a disk-likerecording medium recording and reproducing apparatus, etc.) connected toa personal computer, for example, if the effective data length D is thesame as that of the recording data length W, then the recording data isforced to be copied to another disk-like recording medium under thecondition that a part of the effective data is dropped.

Accordingly, even when expected and desired program operation andinformation are obtained from the effective data by use of anotherdisk-like recording medium, data and information necessary for thedesired program operation are not complete and they become useless as acopy material. As a consequence, illegal copying from the disk-likerecording medium to another disk-like recording medium can besubstantially prevented.

If the effective data length is shorter than the recording data lengthW, then the effective data can be spatially spaced apart and recorded.Important key files can be recorded at the end portion of the recordingdata, for example. Also in this case, when the recording data is copiedto another disk-like recording medium, the recording data is copied toanother disk-like recording medium under the condition that a part ofthe effective data is dropped. Thus, the illegal copy from the disk-likerecording medium to another disk-like recording medium can besubstantially prevented.

In particular, the recording data satisfies a relationship of W>m when amaximum recordable data length of other data recordable disk-likerecording medium is m in association with the disk-like recordingmedium. Therefore, when the recording data is copied to anotherdisk-like recording medium to which the copy is made, the recording datais recorded on another disk-like recording medium under the conditionthat a part of the effective data is dropped. Thus, the illegal copy toanother disk-like recording medium can be substantially prevented.

In the disk-like recording medium, recording data can be recorded underthe condition that a part of the effective data is rearranged.Therefore, when the recording data recorded on the disk-like recordingmedium is copied to another disk-like recording medium (having a maximumrecordable data length shorter than the recording data length), there isthen a very small probability that a part of the separated data will berecorded on another disk-like recording medium to which the copy ismade. As a result, the recording data is recorded on another disk-likerecording medium under the condition that a part of the effective datais dropped. Thus, it is possible to prevent the illegal copy.

In the disk-like recording medium, a part of the data is recorded on theend of the recording data. In this case, when the recording datarecorded on the disk-like recording medium is forced to be copied toanother disk-like recording medium, the maximum recordable data lengthof another disk-like recording medium is set to be shorter than therecording data length of the disk-like recording medium. Therefore,there is the large probability that, of the effective data, data where apart of data arranged at the end is dropped will be recorded as the datato be recorded on another disk-like recording medium or data where apart of data is dropped will be recorded. Thus, it becomes possible tosubstantially disable copying to another disk-like recording medium.

In a computer system according to the present invention which includes afirst storage device for reproducing information data from a firstdisk-like recording medium, a second storage device for recordinginformation data on a second disk-like recording medium and a controlapparatus for controlling the first and second storage devices thecomputer system comprises a data length judgement means for judging adata length W of information data recorded on the first disk-likerecording medium, a judgement means for judging whether the data lengthW is longer than a maximum recordable data length m determined bystandards for the second disk-like recording medium, and a copyrestricting means for restricting information data recording on thefirst disk-like recording medium from being copied to the seconddisk-like recording medium when the judgement means determines W>m.

When recorded data reproduced from the first disk-like recording mediumby the first storage device is copied to the second disk-like recordingmedium in said second storage device, the judgement means determineswhether or not the recording data length W of the first disk-likerecording medium is longer than the second maximum recordable datalength m. If a judged result is W>m, then the above-mentioned copy isrestricted by the copy restricting means.

Accordingly, when the first disk-like recording medium is a disk-likerecording medium that is inhibited from being copied, if the recordingdata length of the first disk-like recording medium is set to be longerthan the maximum recordable data length of the second disk-likerecording medium, then the copy of the recording data recorded on thefirst disk-like recording medium to the second disk-like recordingmedium is restricted by the copy restricting means.

In the above-mentioned arrangement, if the copy restricting meansincludes a copy inhibiting means for inhibiting the recording data frombeing copied to the second disk-like recording medium, then when therecording data length of the first disk-shaped recording medium islonger than the maximum recordable data length of the second disk-likerecording medium, the copy inhibit means is activated in response to thejudged result of the judging means and the copy of the recording datarecorded on the first disk-like recording medium to the second disk-likerecording medium is thereby inhibited. Therefore, it becomes possible tosubstantially prevent the illegal copy.

In the above-mentioned arrangement, the copy restricting means mayinclude a warning generating means for generating warnings indicatingthat the data copy is substantially invalid.

In this case, without the copy inhibiting means, if the recording datalength of the first disk-like recording medium is longer than themaximum recordable data length of the second disk-like recording medium,then extra data from the maximum recordable data length is dropped andthe recording data is recorded on the second disk-like recording medium.Therefore, "warning indicating that data copy is substantially invalid"generated from the above warning generating means becomes useful. Bythis warning, the user who intends to carry out the illegal copy isurged to recognize that the illegal copy is substantially useless.Needless to say, if the warning generating means includes the copyinhibiting means, then the illegal copy can be prevented completely.Specifically, the data recorded on the first disk-like recording mediumis inhibited from being recorded on the second disk-like recordingmedium at all. Thus, it is possible to more reliably prevent the illegalcopy.

In a data copy preventing method for preventing information data havinga recording data length W recorded on a first disk-like recording mediumfrom being copied to a second disk-like recording medium having amaximum recordable data length m, the data copy preventing methodaccording to the present invention comprises the steps of comparing therecording data length W and the maximum recordable data length m andrestricting the information data recorded on the first disk-likerecording medium from being copied on the second disk-like recordingmedium.

Therefore, when the data recorded on the first disk-like recordingmedium is copied to the second disk-like recording medium, the recordingdata length W of the first disk-like recording medium and the maximumrecordable data length m are compared with each other. Then, if thecompared result is W >m, then the data copy is restricted.

Accordingly, when the first disk-like recording medium is a disk-likerecording medium that should be inhibited from being copied, if therecording data length of the first disk-like recording medium is set tobe longer than the maximum recordable data length of the seconddisk-like recording medium, then the recording data recorded on thefirst disk-like recording medium is restricted from being copied to thesecond disk-like recording medium.

If at least the recording data is restricted from being copied to thesecond disk-like recording medium as a restriction on copying data, thenwhen the recording data length of the first disk-like recording mediumis longer than the maximum recordable data length of the seconddisk-like recording medium, the recording data recorded on the firstdisk-like recording medium is inhibited from being copied to the seconddisk-like recording medium in response to the judged result, therebymaking it possible to substantially prevent illegal copying.

Further, if at least a warning indicating that the data copy issubstantially invalid is generated as a restriction on copying data,then when the recording data length of the first disk-like recordingmedium is longer than the maximum recordable data length of the seconddisk-like recording medium, the recording data is recorded on the seconddisk-like recording medium under the condition that extra dataoverflowed from the maximum recordable data length is dropped.Therefore, the above-mentioned warning becomes useful. By this warning,it is possible to urge those who intend to do the illegal copying torecognize that the illegal copy is substantially useless. Of course, ifthe copy inhibition is carried out together with the warning, then theillegal copy can be prevented completely. Specifically, data recorded onthe first disk-like recording medium can be perfectly prevented frombeing recorded on the second disk-like recording medium. As aconsequence, the illegal copy can be prevented more reliably.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic arrangement of afile format (corresponding to ISO9660) recorded on a CD-ROM;

FIG. 2 a process block diagram showing a manufacturing process formaking a CD-ROM;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a computer system for collecting datarecorded on a CD-ROM and for editing data;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation principle of a data recordingapparatus used in a data editing process and a mastering process;

FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D are explanatory diagramsconceptually showing a recording format to the CD-ROM and whether or notrecorded data of CD-ROM can be copied to a blank disk;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a typical example of a computer systemthat the user constructs when a disk-copy from the CD-ROM to the blankdisk is executed;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a computer whichedits data to be recorded on the CD-ROM;

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a processing operation of adata edit processing means which is one of the elements of a datarecording apparatus incorporated in a computer;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart to which reference will be made in explaining aprocessing operation of the data edit processing means;

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a processing operation ofan information table generating means which is one of the elements ofthe data edit processing means;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart to which reference will be made in explaining aprocessing operation of the information table generating means;

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing a processing operation ofa dummy data setting means which is one of the elements of the data editprocessing means;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart (No. 1) to which reference will be made inexplaining a processing operation of the dummy data setting means;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart (No. 2) to which reference will be made inexplaining a processing operation of the dummy data setting means;

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing a processing operation ofa dummy data information table generating means which is one of theelements of the dummy data setting means;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart to which reference will be made in explaining aprocessing operation of the dummy data information table generatingmeans;

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram showing a processing operation ofa file pointer forming means which is one of the elements of the dataedit processing means;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart to which reference will be made in explaining aprocessing operation of the file pointer forming means;

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing a processing operation ofa rearrangement processing means which is one of the elements of thedata edit processing means;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart to which reference will be made in explaining aprocessing operation of the rearrangement processing means;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing contents of an informationtable formed by the information table generating means;

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing contents of a dummy tableformed by the dummy data setting means;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a mastering apparatus which is one ofthe elements of the data recording apparatus according to the embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a CD-ROM drivewhich is one of external storage devices of the computer system mainlyformed of a personal computer by the user;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a CD-R drive whichis one of external storage devices of the computer system mainly formedof a personal computer by the user;

FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram showing a processing operation ofa copy inhibiting means of methods (copy restricting means) for urgingthe user to refrain from doing the illegal copy;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart to which reference will be made in explaining aprocessing operation of a copy inhibiting means;

FIG. 28 is a functional block diagram showing a processing operation ofa warning generating means of methods (copy restricting means) forurging the user to refrain from doing the illegal copy; and

FIG. 29 is a flowchart to which reference will be made in explaining aprocessing operation of the warning generating means.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A data recording method according to the present invention and anembodiment wherein a data recording apparatus which realizes the datarecording method is applied to a read-only optical disc, e.g., CD-ROMwill be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 23 (the above-mentionedmethod and apparatus will hereinafter be referred to simply as a "datarecording method according to this embodiment" and a "data recordingapparatus according to this embodiment").

Then, together with the explanation of the data recording method and thedata recording apparatus according to this embodiment, an examplewherein the present invention is applied to a computer system arrangedby connecting a plurality of external storage devices also will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 24 to 29.

As a plurality of external storage devices connected to a personalcomputer which is a main component of the computer system, there areenumerated an external storage device (generally referred to as a CD-ROMdrive) which can reproduce recorded data of CD-ROM that was recorded bythe data recording apparatus according to this embodiment and anexternal storage device (generally referred to as a CD-R drive) on whicha write once optical disk in which computer data or the like can berecorded once is loaded. The CD-ROM is an abbreviation of CompactDisc-Read Only Memory and the CD-R is an abbreviation of CompactDisc-Recordable. In the following description, the write once opticaldisk is referred to as a CD-R and a CD-R on which any particular data isnot recorded is referred to as a blank disk.

Further, in the following description, when the CD-ROM is manufactured,those who operate the data recording apparatus according to thisembodiment are simply referred to as operators and those who operate thecomputer system by use of legally purchased CD-ROMs are simply referredto as users.

File formats of CD-ROM and CD-R!

Prior to describing the data recording method according to thisembodiment, the file format of a disk-like recording medium to be used,i.e., CD-ROM will be described in brief based on standards, particularlythe ISO9660.

The ISO9660 is based on the previously-proposed HSF (High Sierra format)and is made by improving and correcting the previously-proposed HSF.

The ISO9660 is designed strongly feeling neither MS-DOS (registeredtrademark) of IBM compatible machine nor HFS of Apple Macintosh(registered trademark) but the CD-ROM.

Initially, technical terms used when this file format is described willbe described below.

Volume (volume): A single CD-ROM for simplicity

Volume Set (volume set): One or a plurality of volumes constructing oneapplication

Volume Descriptor (volume descriptor): A descriptor in which a varietyof information concerning the volume are collected

Extent (extent): Set of consecutive sectors

Logical Sector (logical sector): Dividing unit of information on thedisk and is generally 2 kilobytes (2048 bytes).

Logical block (logical block): Unit for subdividing the logical sector.When the logical sector is 2 kbytes, the logical sector is subdividedinto 512 bytes, 1 kbyte or 2 kbytes. The optimum minimum size of thelogical block is 2 kbytes depending on the application program.

LBN (abbreviation of logical block number): When a recordable time of aCD-ROM is 60 minutes, since there can be set 75 logical blocks of 2kbytes per second, there can be set 75×60×60×=270000 (LBN=0 to 269999)in total. Similarly, when a recordable time is 74 minutes, there can beset 330000 (LBN=0 to 329999) logical blocks.

The following conversion equation is used in order to convert a physicaladdress of a practical optical disk (CD-ROM). Specifically, if anabsolute time is m minutes, s seconds and f frames, thenLBN=(((m*60)+s)*75+f)-150 where-150 represents the influence of 2seconds brought about by the pre-gap of CD-ROM.

A file structure of ISO9660 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1,16 logical blocks composed of LBN 0 to 15 are called a system area SA.According to the ISO9660, the system area SA can be used freely by theuser. Although the system area SA can be used variously, all of OS(operating system) cannot always access the system area SA.

A data area DA starts with LBN 16 and ends with the last physicallyrecordable LBN. If the CD-ROM handles multimedia, then it records notonly program but also video and audio data in the data area DA. If thecomputer handles, i.e., recognizes data, then it becomes necessary toprovide data where a file format is described in some area.

In the ISO9660, there is provided an area at the first portion of thedata area DA and data (referred to as retrieval data for the sake ofconvenience) where the file format is described is defined andregistered in this area. The retrieval data contains data structureindicating volume, i.e., table of contents of CD-ROM, directory andfile.

To be concrete, the retrieval data is composed of volume descriptor VD(Volume Descriptor), path table PT (Path table), root directory RD (RootDirectory) and child directory CD (Child Directory), in that order, andalso includes practical file groups following the child directory.

The retrieval data can retrieve the child directory CD of a lowerhierarchy and the practical files based on information concerning theroot directory RD and information concerning the path table PT writtenon the volume descriptor VD. The recorded position of the volumedescriptor VD designates a recorded address (logical block) in theISO9660.

While only the volume descriptor is recorded at the determined positionin accordance with the ISO9660, the recorded position of the path tablePT or the like can be freely determined by the user. The retrieval datais generally recorded at the position shown in FIG. 1.

Contents of retrieval data will be described in more detail. The volumedescriptor VD is a file where fundamental information, obtained when theCD-ROM is regarded as a publication and address of the index used by thecomputer to access data, is recorded. The volume descriptor VD isrecorded from the LBN 16. One volume descriptor VD occupies one sector.

The path table PT is set on the basis of the following circumstances.Specifically, the CD-ROM is based on the compact disc technology and adevice which is inherently difficult to access. Therefore, when theCD-ROM has many files formed thereon, if it is intended to access atarget file, then many seek operations have to be repeated until atarget file is accessed because directories of hierarchies have to besought sequentially from the root directory RD. Thus, the user has toendure such repeated seek operations.

In order to improve such situation, a table (referred to as a "pathtable") indicating the start of the directory files according to theISO9660 is formed. To be concrete, all child directories CD aresequentially numbered and the positions (LBN) of the child directoriesare indicated on the table, thereby forming the path table PT.

Therefore, when the CD-ROM is accessed, a target child directory CD canbe accessed in the shortest period of time on the basis of the pathtable PT. As a consequence, a file to be accessed can be accessed by theminimum number of seek operations.

Accordingly, while the CD-ROM is being reproduced, if the first TOC isread and the path table PT also is read and stored in the RAM of thedrive, then the target file can be accessed by accessing the CD-ROMonce. The reason for this is that the CD-ROM constructs the read-onlymemory. The path table PT is composed of a number of variable-lengthrecords.

When the child directory CD is declared on the lower hierarchy, theposition (LBN) of the child directory, etc. are registered on the routedirectory RD. When files are directly declared on the lower hierarchy,the positions (LBNs) of these files are registered on the routedirectory DR in the form of a table. The route directory RD is used toretrieve the child directory CD and files through the volume descriptorVD declared on the upper hierarchy.

Positions (LBNs) of files declared on the lower hierarchy are registeredon the child directory CD in the form of a table. The child directory CDis used to retrieve files through the route directory RD or the pathtable PT declared on the upper hierarchy.

The CD-R uses the same format as the file format of the CD-ROM.Specifically, the CD-R uses the file format of the CD-ROM as it is andcan read necessary files with reference to retrieval data similar to theCD-ROM. Accordingly, data recorded on the CD-R can be reproduced by theCD-ROM drive.

The CD-R drive for recording and reproducing data on and from the CD-Ris of a groove recording system such that pits are recorded on thepre-grooves. When desired data is recorded, a sector synchronization isachieved on the basis of a period of a wobble signal which results fromoptically detecting a wobble shape formed on the pre-groove. Then, atarget sector is searched. When the target sector is detected, desireddata is recorded in the form of pits.

If the CD-R (in this case, a blank disk) is composed of a polycarbonatebase, for example, a reflection film formed on an organic pigment filmformed on the polycarbonate base by vapor deposition and a plasticprotection film formed on the reflection film, then when data isrecorded on the CD-R by the CD-R drive, a laser beam modulated inresponse to data to be recorded is irradiated on the disk surface andthe organic pigment film at the irradiated position is thermally changedso that organic pigment and polycarbonate react with each other, therebyforming pits corresponding to the data to be recorded.

In the blank disk, a wobble based on the wobble shape of the pregrooveportion is frequency-modulated in response to data of ATIP (AbsoluteTime In Pre-groove) indicating attribute of CD-R or the like. Therefore,when the wobble based on the wobble shape is optically detected and adetected signal is demodulated, it is possible to detect timeinformation on the blank disk.

The time information ATIP has time information (time in Program Area)indicative of a size of proaram area, time information (last possiblestart time of lead out) indicative of a start position of lead-out areanecessary for securing a predetermined lead-out area, etc. assignedthereto.

As the time information indicating the size of program area and the timeinformation indicating the start position of lead-out area, a blank diskwith time information of 74 minutes at maximum is now commerciallyavailable on the market. If data is recorded over 74 minutes, then itbecomes difficult to form the lead-out area.

Specifically, a recording time of the CD-R is determined by standardsand data of 666.6 (Mbytes) can be recorded at maximum. To this end, theCD-R drive system is arranged so as to satisfy the standards and iscapable of recording data on the blank disk by a simple arrangement.

Accordingly, the CD-R has a characteristic such that a maximumrecordable time is limited by a recordable time previously-set by thetime information ATIP frequency-modulated through the wobbling of thewobble shape and recorded on the blank disk. In addition, the CD-R isfeatured in the optical system of the CD-R drive, in particular, aconverging characteristic of laser beam used Lo record pits, e.g., anumerical aperture NA (numerical aperture) of an objective lens servingas a converging lens is smaller than the numerical aperture NA in theoptical system of a mastering apparatus which produces CD-ROMs.

On the other hand, as shown in the manufacturing process which will bedescribed later on, after a mastering process using a laser beam, ametal master process (referred to as "nickel master" because of platingmaterial) and a mother disk producing process, a stamper is producedfrom the mother disk and a resin material is compression molded by useof the stamper, thereby forming a disk master disk for the CD-ROM.

Accordingly, the mastering apparatus for effecting a mastering process,which is the first process, uses a gas laser as a laser light source inorder to form pits with high accuracy. Further, the mastering apparatusincludes a recording optical system with a large numerical aperture NAand a feed mechanism for feeding the recording optical system underservo control. Thus, a metal master with high recording density ascompared with that of CD-R can be manufactured.

A plurality of mother disks are produced from the metal master. Also inthis process, the production control is carried out in order to producemother disks with high accuracy. Accordingly, a mother disk can beproduced for a CD-ROM with high recording density as compared with thatof CD-R manufactured by forming pits.

Further, when the mother disk is produced by use of the metal master,the production control of the CD-ROM is carried out in order to securesufficient margin (margin) for the predetermined standards inanticipation of fluctuations of produced mother disks and fluctuationsoccurred in the manufactured CD-ROMs until CD-ROMs are completed throughthe stamper producing process from the mother disk.

Therefore, the recording density of the CD-ROM is higher than that ofthe CD-R and therefore the data recordable time of the CD-ROM can be setto be longer than that of the CD-R.

Furthermore, since the reproducing system of the CD-R drive hassubstantially the same arrangement as that of the CD-ROM drive, it ispossible to reproduce data recorded on the CD-ROM whose recordingdensity is high compared with that of the CD-R.

Manufacturing process of CD-ROM!

The manufacturing process for manufacturing CD-ROMs will be described inbrief with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a data collecting process shown at step S1, datato be recorded on the CD-ROM are collected and collected data areregistered in a mass-storage device such as a hard disk.

Specifically, data can be collected by a computer system shown in FIG.3, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the computer system includes acomputer 1 provided at its center. The computer 1 includes amass-storage device 4 including a filing hard disc 2 and a digital videotape recorder 3 and a mastering hard disk 5 for storing data to berecorded on the CD-ROM connected to its output side through interfacecircuits 6, 7, 8.

The computer 1 also includes an external device 14 such as a disk drive11 (CD-R drive, a magneto-optical disk drive and FDD (Floppy Disk Drive)etc.), a video camera 12 and an image scanner 13 and a key input deviceformed of a keyboard or a mouse used by the operator to enter commandsor the like to the computer 1 connected to its input side throughinterface its interface circuits 16, 17, 18, 19.

When the operator operates the computer 1 by operating the key inputdevice 15, data (e.g., document data made by the user and dictionarydata recorded on the disk) from the disk drive 11, audio data and videodata from the video camera 12 and still picture data from the imagescanner 13 are registered in the mass-storage device 4 such as the harddisk as independent files. Files are registered in the mass-storagedevice 4 through directory management and file management in theordinary DOS (Disk operating system).

In a data edit process shown at step S2 in FIG. 2, when the useroperates the computer 1 by operating the key input device 15, filesactually recorded on the CD-ROM are selected and registered togetherwith the retrieval data on the hard disk 5. Further, a re-edit iscarried out in order to protect the CD-ROM from being copied. The fileselection and the re-edit in the data editing process will be describedin detail later.

In the mastering process shown in step S3, a laser beam is irradiated ona previously-prepared glass master disk coated with a photoresist layerby a mastering device. In this case, the glass master disk is irradiatedwith a laser beam while the laser beam is being modulated in response torecorded data read out from the hard disk 5. When the laser beam isirradiated on the glass master disk, latent images of pits correspondingto recording data are formed on the photoresist layer of the glassmaster disk. The mastering device also will be described fully later on.

In a metal mask producing process shown in step S4, the latent imageportions are dissolved and removed by developing the glass master diskwhich had been processed by mastering to form the pits. Then, theresultant glass master disk is processed by nickel plating afterelectroless plating. Thus, a metal master is produced (nickel master)with pits transferred to the surface from the glass master disk.

In a mother disk producing process shown in step S5, mother disks of thenecessary number are produced from the metal mask. At that time, thepits that were formed on the metal mater are transferred to the surfaceof each master disk.

In a stamper producing process shown in step S6, a stamper is producedfrom the mother disk. The pits that were formed on the mother disk aretransferred to the surface of the stamper.

In a CD-ROM master disk producing process shown in step S7, a CD-ROMmaster disk made of resin is produced by compression-molding the resinby use of the stamper. At that time, the pits that were formed on thestamper are transferred to the CD-ROM master disk.

In a CD-ROM producing process shown in step S8, after a reflection filmsuch as an Al layer is formed on the CD-ROM master disk, a transparentprotection layer is formed on the CD-ROM master disk and a label isprinted on the CD-ROM master disk, thereby completing a CD-ROM.

Operation principle of data recording apparatus according to thisembodiment!

A principle of operation of the data recording apparatus used in thedata edit process shown in step S2 and the mastering process shown instep S3 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 4.

The data recording apparatus is composed of a data editing means(software) incorporated in the computer 1 and a mastering apparatusshown in FIG. 23.

As shown in FIG. 4, watching a set picture displayed on a picture screenof a display 22 formed of a CRT or a liquid crystal display connected tothe computer 1 through an interface circuit 21, the user enters amaximum data length of data to be recorded on the CD-ROM by use of tenkeys, for example (step 101).

Then, the user selects file groups to be recorded on the CD-ROM by useof the key input device 15 (step S102).

Specifically, video data, audio data and document data stored in themass-storage device 4 are respectively displayed on the set picture asfile names or file numbers. Under recent GUI (Graphical User Interface)circumstances, symbol marks of files are frequently displayed as icons.

Then, the user selects file to be recorded on the CD-ROM by entering thefile name or file number from the keyboard or clicking the icon of thecorresponding file.

When the user selects a file, the user usually designates a directorynecessary for retrieving files prior to selecting a file. Accordingly,the user initially registers a directory and then registers a selectedfile.

A recording format of the CD-ROM will be described conceptually. Asshown in FIG. 5A, the system area is followed by retrieval data such asvolume descriptor, path table and directory which are followed byactually selected files in the selected order. In FIG. 5, volumedescriptor, path table, root directory and child directory arranging theretrieval data are represented by VD, PT, RD and CD, respectively.

It is frequently observed that, as shown in FIG. 5A, all data lengths ofselected files do not reach the set maximum data length. The maximumdata length of the CD-ROM is generally 670 Mbytes. A time period of the670 megabytes is about 80 minutes when it is converted into a recordingtime of audio data according to the ISO9660 standard. The maximum datalength of blank disk is set to 666.6 megabytes (74 minutes whenconverted into a time) by time information ATIP.

Accordingly, if the whole data length including the retrieval data andfile groups is 666.6 megabytes or smaller, then recorded data of theCD-ROM can be illegally copied to the CD-R.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a computer system is arranged byconnecting a CD-ROM drive 32 serving as a first external storage deviceand a CD-R drive 33 serving as a second external storage device of acomputer 31 to the computer 31 through SCSIs (Small Computer SystemInterfaces) 36, 37.

Then, a CD-ROM with edited data is loaded on the CD-ROM drive 32 and ablank disk is loaded onto the CD-R drive 33. Then, if the userdesignates a command of "DISK-COPY", for example, by use of the keyinput device 35 such as the keyboard connected to the personal computer31 through an interface circuit 34 and executes a disk copy from thedrive name assigned to the CD-ROM drive to a drive name assigned to theCD-R drive, then recorded data of the CD-ROM loaded on the CD-ROM drive32 is recorded on the blank disk loaded on the CD-R drive 33 as it is,thereby copying which is often referred to as an illegal copy is easilycarried out.

In this data recording apparatus, not only files can be selected butalso dummy data can be registered as shown in FIG. 4 (step S103). If anexisting area data length obtained when a necessary data length (alldata lengths of selected files, etc.) is subtracted from the maximumdata length is a predetermined value or greater, then dummy data can beset.

This predetermined value is set to a data length long enough to preventthe data length from becoming the maximum data length or greater whendata is shifted by a following rearrangement (see step S104). Such datalength is 1.5 LBN (3 kbytes), for example.

The dummy data is started to be set when the set picture of dummy datais displayed on the picture screen of the display means after theselection of file was ended. Then, watching the set picture, theoperator sets data length of dummy data to be recorded and determineswhether or not the dummy data has invisible attributes. In addition,when the user sets dummy data, the user can set the divided number ofdummy data. If the divided number of dummy data is two or greater, thenthe user sets data lengths of individual dummy data and also determineswhether or not each dummy data has invisible attributes.

The invisible attribute is one of file attributes (file attribute), andcannot be checked by a DIR command. Also, the invisible attribute can beneither corrected nor erased.

The recording position of the set dummy data is determined by a randomnumber, so that the dummy data is recorded in the manner where therecording position thereof cannot be known by the operator.

Dummy data are randomly disposed on the recorded positions of the filegroups and data are recorded nearly up to the maximum data length (670Mbytes) as shown in FIG. 5B. Therefore, if the recorded data of thisCD-ROM is recorded on the CD-R as it is, then data at the portionexceeding 666.6 megabytes is dropped.

Even when those who skilled in the computer intend to remove dummy dataand record only the file on the blank disk, they cannot remove dummydata and record only the file on the blank disk illegally because it issubstantially impossible for them to know accurately how many and wheredummy data are set. In addition, since the dummy data has invisibleattributes, it becomes more difficult for the user to remove dummy data.

Although many illegal copies are made invalid by registration of dummydata, illegal copies are frequently made valid in the following cases.

Specifically, since the retrieval data is still recorded on the startingportion, when the dropped portion is dummy data as shown in FIG. 5C, ifrecorded data of the CD-ROM is copied to the blank disk as it is to makethe CD-R, then file groups that were recorded on the CD-R can be readout from the CD-R by ordinary operation, thereby achieving asubstantially illegal copy. Therefore, even though dummy data are set asdescribed above, such dummy data is not sufficient to prevent illegalcopying.

To solve the above-mentioned problem, the data recording apparatus canshift (rearrange) data of a part of retrieval data by rearrangement asshown at step S104 of FIG. 4. Upon rearrangement, a message in the formof question, e.g., "REARRANGEMENT?" is displayed on the picture screenof the display means. Then, when the operator operates a key indicatingrearrangement, e.g., key "Y", the rearrangement is started.

Upon rearrangement, as shown in FIG. 5D, the path table of the retrievaldata is shifted to the final position of the recorded data, so that whenthe recorded data of the CD-ROM is illegally copied to the blank disk,the path table of the retrieval data is dropped constantly. When theillegally-copied CD-R is reproduced, an access time increases, which isnot practical. Thus, illegal copying can be substantially prevented.

While the path table is rearranged as described above, the presentinvention is not limited thereto and the root directory and the childdirectory may be solely rearranged or combined with the path table andthen rearranged.

If the root directory and the child directory are rearranged to the endof the recorded data, then when the CD-ROM is reproduced by the CD-ROMdrive, the CD-ROM drive has to frequently seek the CD-ROM between theinner and outer peripheries, thereby requiring extra access time.Therefore, according to this embodiment, in order to prevent the accesstime from increasing considerably, data that is rearranged to the end ofthe recorded data is the path table.

If a system controller operation program incorporated in the CD-ROMdrive is improved and the data recording apparatus includes a means forstoring all of the retrieval data in a memory so that the retrieval datastored in the memory are referred to upon accessing, then it is possibleto avoid the access time from increasing considerably. Accordingly, theroute directory or the like may be rearranged at the end of the recordeddata with similar effects being achieved.

Specific arrangement of the data recording apparatus according to thisembodiment!

A specific example that can realize the operation principle of the datarecording apparatus will be described. When the data recording apparatusis described, initially, the computer 1 and the data editing means willbe described and then the mastering apparatus will be described. Whenthe computer 1 is described, a variety of interface circuits are notshown and described.

As shown in FIG. 7, the computer 1 includes a program ROM 41 with avariety of programs stored therein, a data ROM 42 with a variety offixed data previously registered therein, a RAM 43 used to executeprogram read out from the program ROM 41, a data RAM 44 with file datafrom the mass-storage device 4, data entered by the key input device 15and data processed by various programs stored therein, an input port 45and an output port 46 for inputting data to and outputting data from theexternal circuit (mastering hard disk 5, the display device 22, the keyinput device 15 and the mass-storage device 4, etc.) and a CPU (controlapparatus and logical arithmetic unit) 47 for controlling thesecircuits.

Data are exchanged among the above-mentioned circuits via a data bus DBled out from the CPU 47. The above-mentioned circuits are controlled bythe CPU 47 via a control bus and an address bus (both not shown) led outfrom the CPU 47.

An operation of the computer 1, in particular the operation of the dataediting means, will be described with reference to functional blockdiagrams and flow charts of FIGS. 8 through 22.

At step S201 shown in FIG. 9, at the same time when the data recordingapparatus is powered, an initial operation is carried out, e.g., systemsof the computer 1 and the peripheral devices are checked, memories arechecked and a setup is carried out.

In the next step S202, data editing means 51 (data editing program: seeFIG. 8) is read out from the program ROM 41 and written in the operationRAM 43. At the same time, a work area used to temporarily store datagenerated when the program is operated and which is used to exchangeparameters among routines constructing the above program is allocatedinto the operation RAM 43.

Moreover, an information table storage region with an information tableconcerning file groups to be recorded on the CD-ROM, a retrieval datastorage region with retrieval data stored therein, a dummy table storageregion with a dummy table concerning dummy data stored therein and afixed data storage region with fixed data (data previously-set inaccordance with a specification) from the data ROM 42 stored therein areallocated to the data RAM 44.

In step S202, the above program is transferred and a variety of fixeddata are read out from the data ROM 42 and stored in the fixed datastorage region.

As shown in FIG. 8, the data editing program 51 read out to the RAM 43is composed of a judgement means 52 for effecting a variety ofjudgement, a set picture data output means 53 for outputting set picturedata to the display 22 such that the user can select file groups on thedisplay screen of the display 22, an information table generating means54 for generating an information table concerning a selected file group,a dummy data setting means 55 for setting dummy data randomly registeredin the selected file group, a file pointer generating means 56 forgenerating a file pointer used to generate the leading LBN of each fileof the selected file group and a rearrangement means for rearranging apart of data to be recorded on the CD-ROM.

In step S203 shown in FIG. 9, the data editing program 51 enables theset picture data output means 53 to output file selection settingpicture data through the output port 46 to the display 22.

The display 22 displays the file selection setting picture on its screenbased on the setting picture data input thereto from the computer 1. Onthe set picture, the user can easily select files by use of a coordinateinput device such as a mouse under the so-called GUI (Graphical UserInterface) circumstance where files groups that were registered in themass-storage device 4 in the data collecting process (see step S1 inFIG. 2) are displayed as icons representing specific symbols. When theuser selects the file, the file name or the file number of the selectedfile is input to the computer 1.

In the next step S204, the processing enters the information tablegenerating means 54 (information table generating subroutine).

As shown in FIG. 10, the information table generating means 54 iscomposed of a key input data receiving means 61 for receiving key inputdata input thereto from the key input device 15 through the input port45, a key input data judgement means 62 for judging contents of the keyinput data, a file attribute fetch means 63 for fetching file attributedata concerning the selected file from a file management table managedby the OS, a retrieval data generating means 64 for generating retrievaldata (volume descriptor, path table, route directory and childdirectory) conforming to the ISO9660 based on the fetched file attributedata, and an information table registration means 65 for generatinginformation tables concerning files sequentially selected in the fileselection based on file attributes and registering thus generatedinformation tables on the information table storage region.

The information table generating means 54 further includes a numericaljudgement means 66 for judging a variety of numerical values, aretrieval data length calculation means 67 for calculating a whole datalength of retrieval data updated each time retrieval data is generated,a maximum data length receiving means 68 for receiving maximum datalength data of key input data to be recorded on the CD-ROM, a remainingarea data length calculation means 69 for calculating data length ofremaining area and an error message output means 70 for outputting errormessage data to the display 22 through the output port 46 when a file isselected over the data length of the remaining area.

In the information table generating means 54 (information tablegenerating subroutine), as shown in FIG. 11, it is determined indecision step S301 by the key input data judgement means 62 whether ornot the key input data receiving means 61 receives key input data fromthe key input device 15. Step S301 is repeated until key input data isreceived by the key input data receiving means 61, i.e., key input isawaited.

If key input data is inputted through the input port 45 when the useroperates the key input device 15, then the key input data is received bythe key input data receiving means 61, and the processing proceeds tothe next decision step S302.

In the first key input operation, a maximum data length of the data tobe recorded on the CD-ROM is inputted and then data concerning retrievaldata such as path table and directory are inputted. Thereafter, data(file name and file number) concerning the file to be recorded on theCD-ROM are inputted. Finally, a key (end key) indicating that fileselection is ended is operated. Respective steps will be described inaccordance with a manner in which the keys are operated.

It is determined at decision step S302 by the key input data judgementmeans 62 whether or not the content of the key input data is the endkey. If the content of the key input data is not the end key, then theprocessing proceeds to the next decision step S303. It is determinedtherein by the key input data judgment means 62 whether or not thecontent of the key input data is concerned with the registration ofretrieval data such as path table and directory.

If the content of the key input data is not concerned with theregistration of retrieval data, then the processing proceeds to decisionstep S304. It is determined by the key input data judgement means 62whether or not the key input data is concerned with file selection.

Since the key input data is data concerning the maximum data length, theprocessing proceeds to step S305, where the maximum data length datafrom the key input data receiving means 61 is received by the maximumdata length receiving means 68. Then, the processing proceeds again tothe step S301 to await the next key input.

If the key input data is concerned with the registration of retrievaldata then the processing proceeds to the next decision step S306.

It is determined in step S306 by the key input data judgement means 62whether or not the key input data is concerned with the registration ofpath table. If the key input data is concerned with the path table, thenthe processing proceeds to step S307, where the input path table isregistered in the retrieval data storage region of the data RAM 44 bythe retrieval data generating means 64.

If the key input data is concerned with the registration of thedirectory, then the processing proceeds to step S308, where a directoryregistration area is stored in the retrieval data storage region by theretrieval data generating means 64. This directory is completed byregistering the file attribute when a file concerning the directory isselected.

When the registration of path table in step S307 or the storage ofdirectory area in step S308 is ended, the processing proceeds to stepS309, where a data length of retrieval data is calculated by theretrieval data length calculation means 67. In this calculation,retrieval data data lengths which increase each time the path table isregistered at step S307 or the directory registration area is maintainedat step S308 are accumulated and an accumulated value is stored in thepredetermined area of the data RAM 44, e.g., retrieval data lengthstorage region.

Then, the processing proceeds to step S310, where the volume descriptorthat is registered in the retrieval data storage region when the pathtable is registered in step S307 and the directory registration area ismaintained in step S308 is rewritten by the retrieval data generatingmeans 64.

In step S311, a remaining area (area that can be recorded as recordingdata) is obtained by subtracting a retrieval data length or a datalength which increases in step S307 or S308 from the maximum data lengthby the remaining area data length calculation means 69. A resultant datalength is used as a data length of remaining area. In step S311, thedata length data of the remaining area is outputted through the outputport 46 to the display 22 by the remaining area data length calculationmeans 69. The display 22 displays on its picture screen the data lengthdata of the remaining area supplied thereto from the computer 1.

If on the other hand the key input data is concerned with the fileselection, then the processing proceeds to step S312 through steps S303and S304. At that time, the directory name, the directory number, thefile name or the file number input at the same time the file is selectedis received by the key input data receiving means 61.

In step S312, the file attribute fetch means 63 fetches the fileattribute concerning the file from the file management table managed bythe OS based on the file name or the file number received by the keyinput data receiving means 61. The file attribute is the startinglogical address in the storage area of the mass-storage device 4 withthe file stored therein and information concerning data length and copyprotect such as invisible attributes, etc.

It is determined in the step S313 by the numerical judgement means 66whether or not the remaining area has a data length long enough to coverthe selected file. In other words, it is determined by the numericaljudgement means whether or not the data length of the selected file isthe remaining area data length or shorter. If the data length of theselected file is less than the remaining area data length, then it isdetermined that the file can be registered. Then, the processingproceeds to step S314, where the file attribute of the selected file isregistered in the retrieval data storage region at its directory areacorresponding to the input directory name or directory number inaccordance with the specification of the ISO9660.

Then, in step S315, the retrieval data length is updated by accumulatingdata length increased when the file attribute is registered in thedirectory to the retrieval data length by the retrieval data lengthcalculation means 67.

In the next step S316, of the attributes concerning the selected file, anecessary attribute is registered in the information table storageregion by the information table registration means 65.

The arrangement of the information table will be described withreference to FIG. 21. As illustrated, the information table is composedof a number of records. A corresponding directory name or directorynumber is stored in the first record. A file name or file number of thecorresponding file is stored in the second record. A leading logicaladdress of the mass-storage device 4 with the corresponding file storedtherein is stored in the third record. Then, recording time data of thecorresponding file is stored in the fourth record as LBN (referred tohereinafter as "available LBN" because LBN in this case indicates arecording time of file). A manner in which the available LBN is obtainedfrom the recording time data has already been described.

Referring back to the flowchart of FIG. 11, when the registration of theinformation table at step S316 is ended, then the processing proceeds tostep S311, where the data length of the present remaining area iscalculated by the remaining area data length calculation means 69. Inthis case, a remaining area data length is obtained by subtracting fromthe data length data of the present remaining area the data lengthincreased when the file is registered in the directory in step S314 andthe data length of the selected file. The resultant data length data isoutputted through the output port 46 to the display 22. The display 22displays the remaining area data length data supplied thereto from thecomputer 1 on a predetermined position of its picture screen.

If it is determined in the step S313 that the remaining area does nothave the data length long enough to register the selected file, then theprocessing proceeds to step S317, where error message data indicating"UNABLE TO SELECT FILES ANY MORE" is outputted through the output port46 to the display 22 by the error message output means 70. The display22 displays the error message at its predetermined position based on theerror message data inputted thereto from the computer 1. Therefore, theuser becomes able to easily visually confirm that the user will not beable to select files any more.

Then, when the user operates the end key after the file selection hasbeen ended, this information table generating means (information tablegenerating subroutine) 54 is ended through the step S302.

The processing returns to the main routine shown in FIG. 9. It isdetermined in S205 by the judgement means 52 whether or not theremaining area data length is long enough to register dummy data anddata to be rearranged. In other words, it is determined whether or notthe remaining area data length is a predetermined value or greater,e.g., longer than data length (in this case, 3 kbytes) of 1.5 LBN.

If the remaining area data length is 3 kbytes or larger, then theprocessing proceeds to the next step S106 and enters the dummy datasetting means 55 (dummy data setting subroutine).

As shown in FIG. 12, the dummy data setting means 55 comprises ajudgement means 81 for effecting a variety of judgement, a set picturedata output means 82 for outputting set picture data to the display 22so that the user can set dummy data on the display screen, a key inputdata receiving means 83 for receiving key input data input thereto fromthe key input device 15 through the input port 45, an error messageoutput means 84 for outputting error message data through the outputport 46 to the display 22 when the input divided number is not proper, adummy data directory setting means 85 for setting a dummy data directoryin the retrieval data, a dummy table generating means 86 for generatinga dummy table based on a dummy data setting attribute, a dummy datainformation table generating means 87 for registering a dummy dataattribute in the information table, a retrieval data length calculationmeans 88 for calculating a whole data length of retrieval data updatedwhen the dummy data directory is set, and a remaining area data lengthcalculation means 89 for calculating data lengths of remaining areassequentially consumed each time dummy data is set.

In the dummy data setting means 55 (dummy data setting subroutine), asshown in FIG. 13, at step S401, set picture data for setting dummy datais outputted from the setting picture data output means 82 through theoutput port 46 to the display 22.

The display 22 displays the dummy data setting picture on its picturescreen based on the set picture data input thereto from the computer 1.On the set picture, there can be displayed the number of divided dummydata, a recording time of each divided dummy data and the setting ofinvisible attributes, etc.

In the next step S402, it is determined by the judgement means 81whether or not key input data from the key input device 15 is receivedby the key input data receiving means 83. The step S402 is repeateduntil the key input data is entered, i.e., the apparatus awaits the keyinput data.

If the key input data is inputted through the input port 45 when theuser operates the key input device 15, then the input key data isreceived by the key input data receiving means 83. Then, the processingproceeds to step S403.

Since the number of divided dummy data is inputted when the key isoperated first, in step S403, entered key input data is received as thenumber of divided dummy data and is stored in the divided number storageregion of the data RAM 44.

Then, the processing proceeds to the next step S404, where it isdetermined by the judgement means 81 whether or not the number of thedivided dummy data is proper. In other words, it is determined whetheror not a value (number of dummy data that can be divided) which resultsfrom dividing the remaining area data length by 1 LBN (2 kbytes) isgreater than the input number of divided dummy data. If the number ofthe divided dummy data is greater than the number of dummy data that canbe divided, then the number of the divided dummy data is regarded asimproper and the processing proceeds to step S405, where an errormessage data indicating "NUMBER IS NOT PROPER AND ENTER CORRECT NUMBER"is outputted from the error message output means 84 through the outputport 46 to the display 22. The display 22 displays the above errormessage on its predetermined position based on the error message datainput thereto from the computer 1. Therefore, the user can easilyvisually confirm that the input number of divided dummy data is notproper.

If the number of divided dummy data is greater than the number of dummydata that can be divided and the number of divided dummy data is properat decision step S404, then the processing proceeds to step S406. Instep S406, the dummy data directory setting means 85 maintains the areawith a directory concerning dummy data registered therein in theretrieval data storage region. When the setting of dummy data concerningthe directory is finished, this directory is completed by registering anattribute concerning the dummy data.

In the next step S407, a data length of retrieval data is calculated bythe retrieval data length calculation means 88. In this calculation,data lengths of retrieval data which increase when the area with thedummy data directory registered therein at step S406 are accumulated andan accumulated value is stored in the retrieval data length storageregion of the data RAM 44.

In the next step S408, the remaining area data length calculation means89 subtracts the data length maintained at step S406 from the presentremaining area data length to provide a next remaining area data length.

Then, in step S409 shown in FIG. 14, an initial value "O" is stored inan index register i (register declared as register i of a variety ofregisters used in the data editing program).

It is determined in the next step 410 whether or not data is entered byoperating the keyboard. If data is inputted by operating the key inputdevice 15, then the processing proceeds to step S311, where the keyinput data receiving means 83 receives recording time data of (value ofindex register i+1) th dummy data and setting data concerning invisibleattribute.

In the next step S312, the dummy data directory setting means 85registers the recording time data input thereto and the setting dataconcerning the invisible attribute in the dummy data directorymaintained at step S406 in accordance with the specification of theISO9660.

In step S413, the retrieval data length calculation means 88 accumulatesdata length which increase when the data are registered in the directoryto the retrieval data length to update the retrieval data length.

In step S414, the remaining area data length calculation means 89subtracts the data length which increased when the data are registeredin the directory from the data length of the present remaining area toprovide the next remaining area data length.

In step S415, the dummy table generating means 86 registers the settingdata concerning the dummy data in the dummy table storage region of thedata RAM 44. As shown in FIG. 22, the dummy table formed in the dummytable storage region includes the records the number of whichcorresponds to the number of divided dummy data. Each record is of thearrangement that recording time data is stored as the available LBN. Inthis case, the dummy data recording time data is stored in the recordaddress (hereinafter simply referred to as "i address") indicated by thevalue of the index register i of the dummy table as the available LBN.

In the next step S416, the index register i is updated +1. Then, theprocessing proceeds to the next step S417, where it is determined by thejudgement means 81 whether or not the setting of dummy datacorresponding to the number of divided dummy data is ended. In otherwords, it is determined whether or not the value of the index register ibecomes greater than the number of divided dummy data. If the value ofthe index register i is less than the number of divided dummy data, thenthe processing returns to the step S410, where step S410 and thefollowing steps are repeated, i.e., the key input data concerning thenext dummy data is registered in the dummy data directory to update theretrieval data length and the recording time data of the dummy table isstored in the corresponding record address as the available LBN.

If the value of the index register i becomes greater than the number ofthe divided dummy data, then the processing proceeds to the next stepS418 and enters the dummy data information table generating means 87(dummy data information table generating subroutine).

As shown in FIG. 15, the dummy data information table generating means87 comprises a judgment means 91 for effecting a variety of judgments, arandom number generating means 92 for generating a point with dummy datainserted thereto as a random number, a dummy record generating means 93for generating a record for dummy data in records arranging theinformation table, an information table record shifting means 94 forshifting the information table behind the corresponding record in orderto register the dummy data record generated by the dummy recordgenerating means 93 in the information table, and a dummy recordinsertion means 95 for inserting the thus generated dummy data recordinto the information table.

In the dummy data information table generating means 87, at step S501shown in FIG. 16, the initial value "O" is stored in the index registeri. Then, the processing proceeds to step S502 where the random numbergenerating means 92 generates a random number. The random numbergenerating means 92 generates random numbers in a range of from 0 to themaximum value +1 where the maximum record number of thepresently-registered information table is assumed to be a maximum value.

In the next step S503, a random number generated by the random numbergenerating means 92 is stored in the index register j (register declaredas the index register j of a variety of registers used in this dataediting program).

In the next step S404, the dummy record generating means 93 generatesdummy data records of records constructing the information table. Inthis case, a region (referred to as a "dummy record storage region")with one dummy data record stored therein is maintained in apredetermined region of the data RAM 44. Then, in accordance with theone record storage format of the information table shown in FIG. 21,necessary data are stored in the dummy record storage regions.

To be more concrete, a directory name or directory number correspondingto dummy data is stored in the leading region of the dummy recordstorage region, where the code data is indicative of the dummy data,e.g., "FFFF" is stored in the region with the next file name or filename stored therein and a region with the next leading logical addressstored therein, and the available LBN stored in i record address of thedummy table is stored in the region with recording time data storedtherein as the available LBN. Thus, there is formed an information tablerecord (i.e., dummy record) concerning (i+1)th dummy data.

In the next step S505, the information table record shifting means 94shifts record groups following the record address (hereinafter simplyreferred to as a "j record address") indicated by the index register jof information table by an amount of one record to maintain an arealarge enough to store the dummy record of the j record address of theinformation table.

In the next step S506, the dummy record insertion means 95 inserts thedummy record into the j record address of the information table, i.e.,the dummy record concerning (i+1)th dummy data is registered in theinformation table.

In step S507, the index register i is updated by +1 and the processingproceeds to the next decision step S508. It is determined in step S508whether or not the registration of dummy records concerning all dummydata is ended. In other words, it is determined whether or not the valueof the index register i becomes greater than the number of divided dummydata. If the value of the index register i is less than the number ofdivided dummy data as represented by a NO at decision step S508, thenthe processing returns to step S502, wherein step S502 and the followingsteps are repeated. Therefore, with respect to the next dummy data, therecord to be registered on the information table is obtained by a randomnumber and the dummy data record (dummy record) is registered in therecord address indicated by this random number.

If the value of the index register i becomes greater than the number ofdivided dummy data, then the dummy data information table generatingmeans 87 (dummy data information table generating subroutine) is ended.

The processing returns to the dummy data setting means 55 (dummy datasetting subroutine) shown in FIG. 14. Then, when the processing in thedummy data information table generating means 87 is ended, this dummydata setting subroutine also is ended.

Then, the processing returns to the main routine shown in FIG. 9. Whenthe dummy data setting is finished at step S206 or if it is determinedin step S205 that the remaining area data length is less than thepredetermined value, then the processing proceeds to step S207 andenters the file pointer generating means 56 (file pointer generatingsubroutine).

As shown in FIG. 17, the file pointer generating means 56 comprises adata length/LBN conversion means 103 for converting a decided retrievaldata length into the available LBN, an information table read means 103for reading the contents of information table in the record unit, an EOF(end of file) judgement means for determining whether or not all recordsin the information table are read out, a file group leading LBNcalculation means 104 for calculating a leading LBN at which file groupsare recorded on the CD-ROM, a file unit leading LBN calculation means105 for calculating respective leading LBNs where files are recorded onthe CD-ROM and a file pointer registration means 106 for registering theleading LBN obtained by the file unit leading LBN calculation means 105in the corresponding directory.

In the file pointer generating means 56, as shown in FIG. 18, at stepS601, the data length/LBN conversion means 101 converts the decidedretrieval data length stored in the retrieval data length storage regioninto the available LBN. To be more concrete, the data length is dividedby 1 LBN (2kbytes) and then the available LBN of the retrieval datalength is obtained by raising decimals. The resultant available LBN isstored in a first register R1 (register declared as the first workregister R1 of various registers used in the data editing program).

In the next step S602, the file group leading LBN calculation mean 104calculates the leading LBN of the file group to be recorded on theCD-ROM. Specifically, "16" which is the leading LBN of the retrievaldata is added to the value of the first register R1 and the added valueis stored again in the first register R1.

In step S603, the initial value "0" is stored in the index register jand in a second register R2 (register declared as a second work registerR2 of various registers used in the data editing program).

In step S604, the information table reading means 102 reads j recordaddress of the information table.

It is determined at the next step S605 by the EOF judgement means 103whether or not the content of the j record address thus read out is theEOF (end of file). If the content of the j record address is not theEOF, then the processing proceeds to step S606, where the file unit LBNcalculation means 105 calculates the leading LBN concerning the fileregistered on the j record address.

Specifically, the value of the first register R1 and the value of thesecond register R2 are added and then the added value is stored again inthe first register R1. Thereafter, the available LBN that was registeredin the j record address is read out and stored in the second registerR2. The value stored in the second register R2 is used to obtain theleading LBN of the file registered in the next record.

In the next step S607, the file pointer registration means 106 registersthe leading LBN (value stored in the first register R1) of the fileobtained by the file unit leading LDN calculation means 105 in thecorresponding directory of the retrieval data developed in the retrievaldata storage region. The corresponding directory is retrieved based onthe directory name or the directory number stored in the startingportion of the j record address thus read out.

Then, the index register j is updated by +1 in step S608 and theprocessing returns to the step S604, whereafter the step S604 and thefollowing steps are repeated. That is, the leading LBN concerning thefile registered on the next record of the information table is obtainedand registered in the corresponding directory.

Since it is determined in step S605 that the content of the recordaddress is EOF after repeating the loop processing (composed of stepS604 to step S608) times corresponding to the number of recordsregistered on the information table, when the EOF is judged, the filepointer generating means 56 (file pointer generating subroutine) isended.

With the processing executed by the file pointer generating means 56,the leading LBNs concerning the selected file and dummy data registeredon the information table on the CD-ROM are registered on thecorresponding directories, respectively.

The processing returns to the main routine in FIG. 9. In step S208, theprocessing enters the rearrangement means 57 (rearrangement subroutine).

As shown in FIG. 19, the rearrangement means 57 is composed of a messageoutput means 111 for outputting message data to the display 22 in orderto enable the display 22 to display on its picture screen a message inthe form of questions for rearrangement, a judgement means 112 forexecuting a variety of judgements, a flag setting means 113 for settingan information flag (rearrangement flag) indicating a rearrangementrequest when a rearrangement request is issued, a retrieval datatransfer means 114 for transferring the retrieval data stored in theretrieval data storage region to the mastering hard disk 5, aninformation table reading means 115 for reading the content, of theinformation table at the record unit, a file reading means 116 forreading the file registered in the information table from themass-storage device 4, a dummy data reading means 117 for reading dummydata developed in the fixed data storage region of the data RAM 44 by anamount of a predetermined LBN, and a data transfer means 118 fortransferring the file read out by the file reading means 116 or dummydata read out by the dummy data reading means 117 to the mastering harddisk 5.

In the rearrangement means 57, as shown in FIG. 20, at step S701, themessage output means 111 outputs message data in the form of a questionfor rearranging data (path table in this example) through the outputport 46 to the display 22. The display 22 displays a message of"REARRANGE PATH TABLE?", for example, on a predetermined position of thepicture screen based on the message data input thereto from the computer1.

It is determined in the next decision step S702 by the judgement means112 whether or not data input by the key input device 15 is received.The step S702 is repeated until the data input by the key input device15 is received, i.e., the apparatus is placed in the standby mode forawaiting input data.

The operator enters a key input for rearranging the path table (e.g.,operate key "Y") when the operator intends to inhibit the CD-ROM frombeing illegally copied to the CD-R. When the operator allows the CD-ROMto be copied to the CD-R, the operator enters a key input so as not torearrange the path table (e.g., operate key "N").

Then, it is determined in the next step S703 by the judgement means 112whether or not the content of key input data is a rearrangement request.If the operator operates the key "Y" to enter key input data indicatingthe rearrangement request, then the processing proceeds to step S704,where the flag setting means 113 sets the rearrangement flag.

In step S705, the retrieval data transfer means 114 transfers, ofretrieval data stored in the retrieval data storage region, retrievaldata except the path table, i.e., volume descriptor, root directory andchild directory through the output port 46 to the mastering hard disk 5.

If on the other hand the operator enters key input data (key input dataentered by operating the key "N") indicating that the content of the keyinput data is not the rearrangement request, then the processingproceeds to step S706, where the retrieval data transfer means 114transfers all retrieval data stored in the retrieval data storageregion, i.e., volume descriptor, path table, root directory and childdirectory through the output port 46 to the mastering hard disk 5.

When the transfer of retrieval data except the path table in step S705or the transfer of all retrieval data in step S706 is ended, theprocessing proceeds to step S707, where the "O" is stored in the indexregister j as the initial value.

In the next step S708, the information table reading means 115 reads jrecord address of the information table.

It is determined in the next step S709 by the judgement means 112whether or not the content of the j record address thus read out is EOF.If the content of the j record address is not EOF, then the processingproceeds to the next decision step S710. It is determined in step S710by the judgement means 112 whether or not the content of the j recordaddress is concerned with not dummy data but file. In this case, it isdetermined whether or not the file name or the file number of the jrecord address is stored in the file name or file number storage region.If the content of the j record address is concerned with the dummy data,then code data "FFFF", indicating dummy data, is stored in the abovestorage region.

If the file name or the file number is stored in the j record addressand the content of the j record address is concerned with the file, thenthe processing proceeds to step S7 11, where the file reading means 116reads out the corresponding file from the mass-storage device 4 throughthe input port 45. The file reading means 116 reads the correspondingfile based on the leading logical address and the data length (availableLBN) stored in the j record address.

If on the other hand it is determined in step S710 by the judgementmeans 112 that the content of the j record address is concerned with thedummy data, then the processing proceeds to step S712, where the dummydata reading means 117 reads out the dummy data developed in the fixeddata storage region of the data RAM 44 by the amount of the availableLBN stored in the j record address.

When the reading of the corresponding file in step S711 or the readingof dummy data in step S712 is ended, the processing proceeds to stepS713, where the data transfer means 118 transfers the read-out file ordummy data through the output port 46 to the mastering hard disk 5.

If the available LBN of the file or dummy data is large so that one fileor dummy data cannot be read out by one read processing, then one fileor one dummy data can be transferred to the mastering hard disk 5 byrepeating a connected processing of the file reading processing and thedata transfer processing or a connected processing of the dummy datareading processing and the data transfer processing several times.

Then, the index register j is updated by +1 in step S714 and theprocessing returns to step S708, where the next record of theinformation table is read out and the file or the dummy data registeredin the record is transferred to the mastering hard disk 5. Since it isdetermined in decision step S709 that the content of the j recordaddress is EOF after the loop processing (composed of step S708 to stepS714) has been repeated a number of times corresponding to the number ofrecords registered in the information table, the EOF is judged and thenthe processing proceeds to the next decision step S715. At this stage,file data and dummy data registered in the information table are alltransferred to the mastering hard disk 5.

It is determined in step S715 by the judgement means 112 whether or notthe rearrangement request is issued presently. This judgement of therearrangement request is carried out by determining whether or not therearrangement flag is set. Therefore, if the rearrangement flag is set,then it is determined that the rearrangement request is issuedpresently. Then, the processing proceeds to step S716, where theretrieval data transfer means 114 transfers the path table, which hasnot yet been transferred, to the mastering hard disk 5.

When the transferring of path table is ended or if it is determined indecision step S715 by the judgement means 112 that the rearrangementrequest is not issued presently, then the rearrangement means 57(rearrangement subroutine) is ended.

Then, the processing returns to the main routine shown in FIG. 9, whereit is determined in step S209 by the judgement means 52 whether or not aprogram end request is issued. This judgement is carried out bydetermining whether or not an end request interruption such as turning apower switch off occurs.

If it is determined in step S209 by the judgement means 52 that the endrequest is not issued, then the processing returns to step S203 and stepS203 and the following steps are repeated. Specifically, a fileselection setting picture is displayed on the picture screen of thedisplay 222 and data to be recorded on the CD-ROM is edited. If on theother hand it is determined in step S209 by the judgement means 52 thatthe end request is issued, then the data editing means 51 is ended.

Although not shown, the computer 1 activates a TOC data generating meanswhen data to be recorded on the CD-ROM are all registered in themastering hard disk 5. The TOC data generating means generates TOC dataincluding management data with recording positions of each data (file)and recording times of whole files registered therein on the basis ofdata (file groups, etc.) registered on the mastering hard disk 5.

The mastering apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 23. Asillustrated, the mastering apparatus includes a spindle motor 122 forrotating a glass master disk 121 with a photoresist coated on itssurface, a laser light source, e.g., He--Cd gas laser 123 forirradiating the photoresist coated on the glass master disk 121 withlaser beams, a CD signal generator 124 for converting recording data Dwoutput from the computer 1 into CD-ROM data and outputting the same as aCD-system on/off signal Sc, an optical modulator 125 for modulating alaser beam L having a short wavelength (about 0.4 μm) emitted from theHe--Cd gas laser 123 under the control of the on/off signal SC suppliedthereto from the cD signal generator 124, a recording optical system 126capable of forming a latent image of a sufficiently small beam spot byconverging a modulated beam (a laser beam controlled by the on/offsignal Sc) Lc from the optical modulator 125 on the photoresist coatedon the glass master disk 121, a feeding mechanism 127 for moving therecording optical system 126 along the radial direction of the glassmaster disk 121, a servo controller 128 for servo-controlling thespindle motor 122 and the feeding mechanism 127, a subcode generator 129for generating a subcode Cs used to retrieve data recorded on the CD-ROMand synchronization, and a system controller 130 for controlling avariety of detectors and a variety of circuits.

The optical modulator 125 is composed of an EOM (Electro OpticalModulator) using Pockel's effect and an AOM (Acoustic-Optical Modulator)using supersonic waves.

The recording optical system 126 comprises an objective lens 131 forconverging the modulated beam Lc from the optical modulator 125 on thephotoresist coated on the glass master disk 121,1 a focusing voice coil132 for moving the objective lens 131 in the upper and lower direction,a mirror 133 for introducing the modulated beam Lc from the opticalmodulator 125 into the objective lens 131, and a focus error detector134 for outputting a distance between the objective lens 131 and theglass master disk 121 as a focus error signal Sf.

Though not shown, the focus error detector 134 comprises a He--Nesemiconductor laser for irradiating an error-detection laser beam on theglass master disk 121 through the objective lens 131, for example, aphotodetector for converting reflected-back light from the glass masterdisk 121 into an electrical signal (focus error signal), and a beamsplitter for introducing the reflected-back light into thephotodetector.

The feeding mechanism 127 comprises a feeding holder 135 with therecording optical system mounted thereon and a feed motor 136 for movingthe feeding holder 135.

The photodetectors are not limited to the focus error detector 134.There are available a rotational speed detector for detecting arotational speed of the spindle motor 122 and a position detector 138for detecting a distance of the modulated beam Lc converged by theobjective lens 131 from the central shaft of the spindle motor 122. Aposition signal Sp from the position detector 138 of these detectors issupplied to the system controller 130, whereby the system controller 130outputs a spindle motor rotation control signal Ss based on arelationship between the content (position of the modulated beam Lc) ofthe input position signal Sp and the diameter of the glass master disk121 to the servo controller 128.

The servo controller 128 comprises a focus servo circuit, a feed servocircuit and a rotation servo circuit, though not shown.

The focus servo circuit supplies a control current ic to the voice coil132 based on the focus error signal Sf input thereto from the focuserror detector 134 in the recording optical system 126 to very slightlymove the objective lens 131 in the upper and lower direction so that adistance between the objective lens 131 and the glass master disk 121becomes constant.

The feed servo circuit supplies a control signal Sm to the feed motor136 based on the rotational speed signal Sn input thereto from therotational speed detector 137 such that the feeding holder 135 is movedalong the radial direction of the glass master disk 121 at apredetermined pitch (e.g., 1.6 μm) per revolution of the rotary shaft ofthe spindle motor 122 (per revolution of the glass master disk 121).

The rotation servo circuit controls rotation of the spindle motor 122 inaccordance with the rotation control signal Ss input thereto from thesystem controller 130. The spindle motor 122 rotates the glass masterdisk 121 at a constant linear velocity, for example, under the controlof the rotation servo circuit.

The CD signal generator 124 adds the subcode Cs output from the subcodegenerator 129 and an error correcting code to the recording data Dwoutput from the computer 1 through the mastering hard disk 5, andscrambles, interleaves and modulates the resultant recording data Dw inan EFM (Eight to Fourteen Modulation) fashion.

An operation of the mastering apparatus will be described in brief. Inthis mastering apparatus, when the operator issues an activation command(e.g., the operator operates a start button on an operation panel), thesystem controller 130 outputs an activation signal to the rotation servosignal in the servo controller 128. The rotation servo circuit rotatesthe spindle motor 122 based on the activation signal input thereto fromthe system controller 130.

When a rotational speed of the spindle motor 122 becomes constant, thesystem controller 130 outputs an activation signal to the feed servocircuit in the servo controller 128. The feed servo circuit outputs thecontrol signal Sm to the feed motor 136 based on the activation signalinput thereto from the system controller 130 such that the feed motor136 moves the feed table 135 to the initial position. The feed motor 136is responsive to the control signal Sm input thereto from the feed servocircuit for moving the feeding table 135 (i.e., the recording opticalsystem 126) to the initial position, in this case, the innermostperipheral position when the glass master disk 121 is seen as theCD-ROM. At that time, when the system controller 130 is responsive tothe position signal Sp input thereto from the position detector 138 forrecognizing that the recording optical system 126 reaches the innermostperipheral position, the system controller 130 outputs a step-by-stepfeed start signal to the feed servo circuit so that the feeding holder135 is moved toward the outer periphery of the glass master disk 121 ina step-by-step fashion under the control of the feed servo circuit. Thefeed servo circuit is responsive to the step-by-step feed start signalsupplied thereto from the system controller 130 for outputting thecontrol signal Sm to the feed motor 136 so that the feed motor 136 feedsthe feeding table 135 in a step-by-step fashion.

The feed motor 136 moves the feed holder 135 toward the outer peripheryof the glass master disk 121 along the radius of the glass master disk121 based on the control signal Sm input thereto from the feed servocircuit. At that time, the feed servo circuit is responsive to therotational speed signal Sn input thereto from the rotational speeddetector 137 for controlling the feed motor 136 so that the feed motor136 moves the feeding holder 135 by a predetermined pitch per rotationof the rotary shaft of the spindle motor 122.

When the recording optical system 126 reaches the position correspondingto the lead-in area of the CD-ROM, the system controller 130 outputs aread command of the recording data Dw to the computer 1. The computer 1is responsive to the read command inputted thereto from the computer 1for outputting TOC data and a command code indicating the TOC data.Timings at which the computer 1 outputs the command code and the TOCdata are determined on the basis of an output timing signal inputthereto from the system controller 130. The command code and the TOCdata are supplied to the CD signal generator 124 connected to thecomputer 1. The CD signal generator 124 is responsive to the commandcode for recognizing that data supplied from the computer 1 is the TOCdata and converts the TOC data into the on/off signal Sc as it is,whereafter the CD signal generator 124 outputs the on/off signal Sc tothe optical modulator 125.

The optical modulator 125 is responsive to the on/off signal Sc suppliedthereto from the CD signal generator 124 for turning on and off thelaser beam L emitted from the gas laser 123. In other words, a laserbeam emitted from the optical modulator 125 becomes the modulated beamLc modulated by the TOC data.

The modulated beam Lc is converged through the recording optical system126 on the photoresist coated on the glass master disk 121, whereby apit-series latent image based on the modulated beam Lc, i.e., apit-series latent image corresponding to the TOC data, is formed on thephotoresist at the portion corresponding to the lead-in area of theCD-ROM.

When the computer 1 has finished outputting the TOC data, the computer 1reads out the recording data (data such as retrieval data and filegroups) Dw from the mastering hard disk 5 and sequentially outputs themto the CD signal generator 124. The output timing of the recording dataDw also is determined based on the output timing signal input from thesystem controller 130.

At the same time the computer 1 outputs the recording data Dw, thesubcode generator 129 outputs the subcode Cs necessary for recording onthe CD-ROM. The subcode Cs is inputted to the CD signal generator 124.An output timing of the subcode Cs from the subcode generator 129 alsois determined in accordance with the output timing signal from thesystem controller 130.

The CD signal generator 124 adds the subcode Cs from the subcodegenerator 129 to the recording data Dw supplied thereto from thecomputer 1 and further adds the error correcting code to the recordingdata Dw. The recording data Dw with the subcode Cs and the errorcorrecting code added thereto is scrambled, interleaved and modulated inan EFM fashion, and thereby converted into the on/off signal Sc forturning on and off the optical modulator 125. This on/off signal Sc issupplied to the optical modulator 125.

The optical modulator 125 is responsive to the on/off signal Sc suppliedthereto from the CD signal generator 124 for turning on and off thelaser beam L emitted from the gas laser 123. At that time, a laser beamemitted from the optical modulator 125 equivalently becomes themodulated beam Lc modulated by the recording data Dw.

The modulated beam Lc is converged through the recording optical system126 on the photoresist coated on the glass master disk, whereby apit-series latent image based on the modulated beam Lc, i.e., apit-series latent image corresponding to the recording data Dw, isformed on the photoresist at the portion corresponding to the programarea of the CD-ROM.

A numerical aperture (NA) of the objective lens 131 disposed on therecording optical system 126 is selected to be of a sufficiently largevalue as compared with that of an objective lens disposed in an opticalpickup of a CD-ROM drive and that of an objective lens disposed on anoptical head of a CD-R drive. Therefore, the pit-series latent imageformed on the photoresist with the radiation of laser beam by thismastering apparatus is high in accuracy, which can substantially satisfydesign value.

When the laser irradiation processing in the mastering apparatus isended, the pit-series latent image is formed on the photoresist coatedon the glass master disk 121 at its portion corresponding to the lead-inarea of the CD-ROM and the pit-series latent image is formed on thephotoresist at its portion corresponding to the program area.

Specifically, retrieval data except the system area and the path table,the file groups, randomly-inserted dummy data and recording data (seeFIG. 5D) concerning the rearranged path table are recorded on theportion corresponding to the program area as the pit-series latentimage.

When the laser irradiation processing in the mastering apparatus isended, a desired CD-ROM is completed through the metal master process instep S4 shown in FIG. 2, the mother disk manufacturing process in stepS5, the stamper manufacturing process in step S6, the CD-ROM master diskmanufacturing process in step S7 and the CD-ROM manufacturing process instep S8.

Arrangement of computer system using CD-ROM!

A computer system using a CD-ROM will be described. As shown in FIG. 6,a CD-ROM drive 32 is connected to a personal computer 31 as an externalstorage via a SCSI 36, for example.

The user of the personal computer 31 reads necessary file from theCD-ROM and makes business data or plays a computer game on the picturescreen of a display connected to the personal computer 31.

However, users of the computer using the CD-ROM do not always use thecomputer in the above-mentioned manner. It is frequently observed thatusers illegally copy recorded data of the CD-ROM to the blank disk ofthe CD-R for the purpose of distributing recorded data of the CD-ROM aspirate data and also distributing recorded data of the CD-ROM to thosewho are not regular users free of charge or for payment.

At present, a user can easily do illegal copying by connecting a CD-ROMdrive 33 to the personal computer 31 via SCSI 37 in addition to theCD-ROM drive 32.

The CD-ROM drive 32 and the CD-R drive 33 will be described in briefwith reference to FIGS. 24 and 25.

Initially, the CD-ROM drive 32 will be described with reference to FIG.24. As shown in FIG. 24, the CD-ROM drive 32 comprises a spindle motor141 for rotating a CD-ROM at a constant linear velocity v =1.2 to 1.4m/s, an optical pickup 142 for reproducing an information signal fromthe CD-ROM, and a signal reproducing system 143 for processing theinformation signal reproduced by the optical pickup 142 in apredetermined signal form.

The optical pickup 142 can be moved along the radial direction of theCD-ROM by a known optical head slide mechanism (not shown) mainlycomposed of a linear motor and a guide shaft, for example. The opticalpickup 142 includes an objective lens 145 for converging laser beam Lfrom a laser light source 144 on the CD-ROM.

The objective lens 145 can be moved a little by a two-dimensionalactuator 146 in the direction in which it comes close to or away fromthe CD-ROM and in the radius direction of the CD-ROM. Thetwo-dimensional actuator 146 includes a magnetic circuit composed of afocusing coil 147, a tracking coil 148 and a magnet (not shown).

As illustrated, the optical system of the optical pickup 142 includesthe laser light source 144 formed of a semiconductor laser as a lightsource of laser beam L, the objective lens 145 for converging the laserbeam L on the CD-ROM and a photodetector 149 for detectingreflected-back light Lr reflected on the CD-ROM and converting thedetected reflected-back light Lr into an electrical signal (detectedsignal) Si of a current level corresponding to the intensity of thedetected reflected-back light Lr, all of which are formed as a singleunit. This single unit of the optical system can be moved along theradial direction of the CD-ROM by the optical pickup moving mechanism.

The above optical system further includes a collimator lens 150 forcollimating the laser beam L emitted from the laser light source 144 toprovide a parallel beam, a phase diffraction grating 151 for separatingthe laser beam L into at least three light bundle components (-1-orderlight, 0-order light and +1-order light) and a beam splitter 152 forseparating the laser beam L from the laser light source 144 and thereflected-back light Lr from the beam splitter 152.

In the optical path of the reflected-back light Lr, there are disposed afocusing lens 153 for focusing the reflected-back light Lr on thephotodetector 149 and a multi-lens (not shown) composed of a cylindricallens and a concave lens for adjusting a focal length of thereflected-back light Lr and generating an astigmatism.

The three light bundle components separated by the phase diffractiongrating 151 will be described more fully. The 0-order light componentscans a track on the CD-ROM, the -1-order light scans the guide grooveof the outer periphery adjacent to the above track and the +1-orderlight scans the guide groove of the inner periphery adjacent to theabove track.

Therefore, the photodetector 149 is composed of three kinds ofphotodetectors for converting the reflected-back light beam Lr of thethree light bundle components into an electrical signal.

The beam splitter 152 includes on its side opposite to the focusing lens153 a monitoring photodetector 154 disposed in order to detect a part(light component reflected on the boundary surface of the beam splitter152) of the laser beam L emitted from the laser light source 144 andconverting the same into an electrical signal (detected signal) Sci ofoutput level (current level) corresponding to the intensity of the lightcomponent.

The monitoring photodetector 154 is connected with a monitoring headamplifier 155 for converting the detected signal (current signal) Scifrom the photodetector 154 into a voltage signal Scv and amplifying thesame by a predetermined gain and an intensity controller 156 (generallyreferred to as APC (Automatic Power Control) circuit) responsive to thedetected signal (voltage signal) Scv amplified by the head amplifier 155for controlling the laser light source 144 so that the laser lightsource 144 can emit the laser beam stably.

Specifically, the APC circuit 156 controls the laser light source 144such that the output (intensity) of the laser beam L emitted from thelaser light source 144 becomes set value data Ds supplied thereto from asystem controller 166, which will be described later on, and that thelaser light source 144 can be oscillated stably.

On the other hand, the photodetector 149 of the optical pickup 142 isconnected with a head amplifier 157 for converting the detected signal(current signal) Si supplied thereto from the photodetector 149 into thevoltage signal Sv and amplifying the same by a predetermined gain and amatrix circuit 158 responsive to the amplified detected signal (voltagesignal) Sv supplied thereto from the head amplifier 157 to generate avariety of signals, i.e., a tracking error signal St, a focus errorsignal Sf and an RF signal S_(RF). The matrix circuit 158 is composed ofa variety of adders and subtracters, though not shown.

The matrix circuit 158 is connected in parallel with a phase compensator159 with the tracking error signal St inputted thereto from the matrixcircuit 159 and maintaining the stability of a tracking control system,a phase compensator 160 with the focus error signal Sf inputted theretofrom the matrix circuit 158 and maintaining the stability of the focuscontrol system, and a binary circuit 161 for converting the RF signalSRF supplied thereto from the matrix circuit 158 into a binary signalSr.

The phase compensator 159 is connected with a driver 162 for supplyingan exciting current it to the tracking coil 148 of the two-dimensionalactuator 146 based on the tracking error signal St supplied theretothrough the phase compensator 159. Another phase compensator 160 isconnected with a driver 163 for supplying an exciting current if to thefocus coil 147 of the two-dimensional actuator 146 based on the focuserror signal supplied thereto through the phase compensator 160.

The binary circuit 161 is connected with a signal line supplying thebinary signal Sr as it is and a multiplying circuit composed of a PLLcircuit 164 for generating an RF clock signal Src by multiplying thebinary signal Sr supplied thereto from the binary circuit 161 with adetection timing of a certain special signal pattern (i.e., uniquepattern such as a frame synchronizing signal).

The above signal line and the PLL circuit 164 are connected with ademodulator 165. Having demodulated the binary signal Sr suppliedthereto from the signal line on the basis of the RF clock signalsupplied thereto from the PLL circuit 164, the demodulator 165de-interleaves and descrambles the demodulated signal to provide digitaldata. Further, having decoded the error correcting code or the likeadded to the digital data, the demodulator 165 outputs digital data asreproduced information data Dr including the subcode Dc such as a sectorsynchronizing signal and a sector address signal. The reproducedinformation data Dr is transmitted through the interface circuit (SCSI)36 to the personal computer 31 connected to the outside of theapparatus.

Of the reproduced information data Dr, the subcode Dc such as a varietyof synchronizing signals and address signals is supplied to the systemcontroller 166 for controlling various circuits.

The system controller 166 controls various circuits. As a typicalcontrol operation done by the system controller 166, the systemcontroller 166 outputs the set value data Ds to the APC circuit 156 sothat the APC circuit 156 sets the intensity of the laser beam used uponreproduction. Further, the system controller 166 retrieves thepredetermined position with a synchronization on the basis of thereproduced subcode Dc and supplies an enable signal Sir for reproducingdata to the interface circuit 36.

On the other hand, the spindle motor 141 is connected to a motor driver167 for supplying a drive current im to the spindle motor 141. The motordriver 167 is connected to a spindle servo circuit 168 for outputting aservo signal Ss under whose control the CD-ROM is rotated at apredetermined rotational speed.

The spindle servo circuit 168 outputs the servo signal Ss based on theRF clock signal Src supplied thereto from the PLL circuit 164.Specifically, the spindle servo circuit 168 outputs the servo signal Ssto the motor driver 167 so as to rotate the CD-ROM at a constant speedwhen a frequency of the input RF clock signal Src becomes equal to thatof a reference clock Pc inputted to other input terminals thereof.

A manner in which the CD-ROM drive reproduces data from the CD-ROM willbe described.

The spindle servo circuit 168 is responsive to the RF clock signal Srcsupplied thereto from the PLL circuit 164 to control a rotational speedof the CD-ROM so that the CD-ROM can be rotated at a predeterminedrotational speed by the spindle motor 141 through the motor driver 167.

The system controller 166 retrieves a frame of recorded data to bereproduced. Having detected a predetermined frame, the system controller166 detects a header address of data to be reproduced supplied theretofrom the demodulator 165. When the target header address is detected,the system controller 166 starts reading the data.

When the system controller 166 outputs the data reproduction enablesignal Sir to the interface circuit 36 and the reproduced informationdata Dr output from the demodulator 165 is transmitted through theinterface circuit 36 to the personal computer 31, the system controller166 starts reading the data. During a series of playback operation, thespindle servo circuit 168 is operated by the RF clock signal Srcsupplied thereto from the PLL circuit 164.

The CD-R drive 33 will be described with reference to FIG. 25. In thedrawing, like parts corresponding to those of FIG. 24 are marked withthe same references and therefore need not be described in detail. TheCD-R drive can reproduce CD-R, a blank disk and CD-ROM and these opticaldisks will hereinafter be collectively referred to as an optical disk Dfor simplicity.

As illustrated, the CD-R drive 33 includes the spindle motor 141 forrotating the optical disk D at a constant linear velocity v=1.2 to 1.4m/s, an optical head 171 for reproducing an information signal from theCD-R or CD-ROM or recording an information signal on the blank disk orthe CD-R, and a signal processing system 172 for placing the informationsignal reproduced by the optical head 171 in a predetermined signal formand placing recording data in such a predetermined signal form as it canbe recorded on the blank disk or the CD-R.

The optical head 171 is arranged in substantially the same manner inwhich the optical pickup 142 mounted on the CD-ROM drive 32 is arranged.

The CD-R drive 33 includes a laser modulator 174 for modulating a laseroutput of the laser light source 144 disposed within the optical head171.

The phase diffraction grating 151 disposed within the optical head 171separates the laser beam to provide three light bundle components, i.e.,the 0-order light component, the +1-order light component and the-1-order light component. The 0-order light component scans one grooveportion (track in the case of CD-ROM) on the optical disk D, the+1-order light component scans a land portion (guide groove of the outerperipheral side in the case of CD-ROM) of the outer peripheral sideadjacent to the groove portion, and the -1-order light component scans aland portion (guide grove of the inner peripheral side in the case ofthe CD-ROM) of the inner peripheral side adjacent to the groove portion.Reflected-back light of 1-order light is used to detect a trackingerror.

The APC circuit 156 in the CD-R drive 33 is responsive to the amplifieddetected signal (voltage signal) Sc supplied thereto from the monitorhead amplifier 155 for outputting a control signal Sc to the lasermodulator 174 so that the laser light source 144 can emit the laser beamstably.

Specifically, the APC circuit 156 outputs the control signal Sc to thelaser modulator 174 such that a power (intensity) of the laser beam Lemitted from the laser light source 144 becomes equal to the set valuedata Ds supplied from the system controller 166 and that the laser lightsource 144 can emit the laser beam stably. The system controller 166outputs the set value data Ds of different values when an informationsignal is played back from the CD-R and CD-ROM and when an informationsignal is recorded on the blank disk. The value of the set value data Dsis set such that the output power of the laser beam L used to record theinformation signal becomes stronger than the output power of the laserbeam L used to reproduce the information signal.

The laser modulator 174 is responsive to the control signal Sc suppliedthereto from the APC circuit 156 to control the supply of a current tothe laser light source 144 (in particular, the amplitude of the currentsignal supplied to the laser light source 144). Moreover, the lasermodulator 174 controls the supply of current to the laser light source144 on the basis of an on/off sinal Swr supplied thereto from a dataencoder 178 which will be described later on.

On the other hand, the head amplifier 157 is connected with the matrixcircuit 158. The matrix circuit 158 is composed of various adders andsubtracters so as to generate the tracking error signal St, the focuserror signal Sf, the RF signal SRF and a push-pull signal Spp inresponse to the amplified detected signal (voltage signal) Sv suppliedthereto from the head amplifier 157. The matrix circuit 158 can generatethe tracking error signal St by D-PP (differential push-pull method).

The matrix circuit 158 is connected with the phase compensators 159,160, the binary circuit 161 and a wobble detector 175 composed of abandpass filter or the like, for example, for extracting a wobble signalSw from the push-pull signal Spp thereof.

The wobble detector 175 is connected with an ATIP demodulator 176 whichdemodulates the wobble signal Sw supplied thereto from the wobbledetector 175 to provide an FM-demodulated signal Sfm for obtainingabsolute time information ATIP. Also, the ATIP demodulator 176 generatesa read clock signal Swc for reading the absolute time information ATIPfrom the FM-demodulated signal Sfm on the wobble signal Sw. A frequencyof the read clock signal Swc is 6.35 kHz, for example, when a frequencyof the wobble signal Sw is held at 22.05 kHz.

The ATIP demodulator 176 is connected with an ATIP decoder 177 whichconverts the FM-demodulated signal Sfm supplied thereto from the ATIPdemodulator 176 into the absolute time information ATIP forsynchronizing sectors on the basis of the read clock signal Swc suppliedthereto from the ATIP demodulator 176. The resultant absolute timeinformation ATIP is supplied from the ATIP decoder 177 to the systemcontroller 166.

The ATIP decoder 177 is connected with the system controller 166. Thesystem controller 166 is adapted to control a variety of circuits. Astypical control operations of the system controller 166, the systemcontroller 166 outputs the set value data Ds to the APC circuit 156 sothat the APC circuit 156 can set the laser power used upon reproductionor recording. Further, the system controller 166 is responsive to theabsolute time information ATIP supplied thereto from the ATIP decoder177 for retrieving a predetermined position to transmit a datareproducing or data recording enable signal Sir or Siw to the interfacecircuit 36 while achieving the synchronization.

The spindle servo circuit 168 outputs the servo signal Ss in response tothe wobble signal Sw supplied thereto from the wobble detector 175, theread clock signal Swc supplied thereto from the ATIP demodulator 176 orthe RF clock signal Src supplied thereto from the PLL circuit 164.

To be more concrete, in response to the wobble signal Sw suppliedthereto from the wobble detector 175, the spindle servo circuit 168outputs the servo signal Ss to the motor driver 167 so that the opticaldisk D is rotated at a constant standard velocity when the frequency ofthe input wobble signal Sw is held at 22-05 kHz (44.1 kHz in twicenormal speed mode).

In response to the read clock signal Swc supplied thereto from the ATIPdemodulator 176, the spindle servo circuit 168 outputs the servo signalSs to the motor driver 167 so that the optical disk D is rotated at aconstant standard velocity when the frequency of the input read clocksignal Swc is held at 6.35 kHz.

In response to the RF clock signal Src supplied thereto from the PLLcircuit 164, the spindle servo circuit 168 outputs the servo signal Ssto the motor driver 167 so that the optical disk D is rotated at aconstant velocity so as to make the frequency of the input RF clocksignal Src equal to the frequency of the reference clock Pc inputted toother terminals thereof.

The laser modulator 174 is connected with a data encoder 178. Havingerror-corrected and encoded the recording data (digital data) Dwsupplied thereto through the interface circuit 36 from the personalcomputer 31, the data encoder 178 modulates the resultant data in an EFM(Eight to Fourteen Modulation) fashion to provide recording informationdata and converts the thus converted data into a binary signal,whereafter it outputs the binary signal as the on/off signal Swr.

A manner in which the CD-R drive 33 records data on the blank disk, forexample, will be described below.

This blank disk is of the groove recording type where pits are recordedon the groove portion. When data is recorded on the blank disk, thespindle motor 141 rotates the blank disk at a certain linear velocity inresponse to an actuation signal supplied thereto from the systemcontroller 166. Then, the system controller 166 outputs the set valuedata Ds indicating laser power value for reproduction to the APC circuit156. The APC circuit 156 controls the laser modulator 174 such that thepower of the laser beam L emitted from the laser light source 144becomes equal to the power indicated by the set value data Ds from thesystem controller 166.

At that very time, the wobble detector 175 extracts the wobble signal Swfrom the push-pull signal Spp supplied thereto from the matrix circuit158 (more precisely, the push-pull signal generator). Then, thesucceeding ATIP demodulator 176 generates the FM-demodulated signal Sfmfor obtaining the absolute time information ATIP and the read clock Swcin response to the wobble signal Sw.

The wobble signal Sw from the wobble detector 175 and the read clocksignal Swc from the ATIP demodulator 176 are supplied to the spindleservo circuit 168. The spindle servo circuit 168 controls a rotationalspeed at which the blank disk is rotated by the spindle motor 141through the motor driver 167 such that the frequency of the wobblesignal Sw becomes 22.05 kHz upon one time normal speed mode or that thefrequency of the read clock signal Swc becomes 6.35 kHz upon one timenormal speed mode.

Since in this case the wobble signal Sw extracted by the wobble detector175 has the waveform without noise and timebase error, the spindle servocircuit 168 can accurately control the rotational speed of the blankdisk. Therefore, it becomes possible to read the information signal fromthe blank disk quickly.

On the other hand, the FM-demodulated signal Sfm and the read clocksignal Swc are supplied to the ATIP decoder 177 which generates theabsolute time information ATIP on the basis of these signals Sfm andSwc. The resultant absolute time information ATIP is supplied from theATIP decoder 177 to the succeeding system controller 166. The systemcontroller 166 achieves a synchronization on the basis of the absolutetime information ATIP supplied thereto.

Having achieved a synchronization, the system controller 166 searchesthe position at which data is to be recorded in response to the aboveabsolute time information ATIP. When the system controller 166 detects apredetermined position, the system controller 166 outputs a datarecording enable signal Siw to the interface circuit 36 so thatrecording data from the personal computer 1 in the standby mode issupplied through the interface circuit 36 to the data encoder 178. Inthis case, when the recording data is CD-ROM data from the CD-ROM drive32, data are TOC data, subcode and recording data (selected file groups,etc.) recorded on the CD-ROM.

This time, the system controller 166 outputs the set value data Dsindicating a recording laser power value to the APC circuit 156. The APCcircuit 156 controls the laser modulator 174 such that the power of thelaser beam L emitted from the laser light source 144 becomes the valueindicated by the set value data Ds supplied thereto from the systemcontroller 166.

The recording data Dw supplied to the data encoder 178 is encoded insome suitable fashions such as error correction, and modulated in an EFMfashion into recording information data. Then, the data encoder 178converts the recording information data into a binary signal, andoutputs this binary signal to the laser modulator 174 as the on/offsignal Swr.

The laser modulator 174 controls the laser power of the laser lightsource 144 on the basis of the control signal Sc supplied thereto fromthe APC circuit 156. Further, the laser modulator 174 turns on and offthe laser output of the laser light source 144 on the basis of theon/off signal Swc supplied thereto from the data encoder 178. Then, thelaser beam L that is emitted from the laser light source 144 controlledby the laser modulator 174 is irradiated on a data portion of apredetermined sector on the blank disk, thereby recording data on thedata portion as pits. When data is recorded, a frame synchronizingsignal also is recorded at a predetermined interval. A series ofoperations is sequentially repeated and therefore the recording datatransmitted from the personal computer 31 is recorded on the dataportion of the corresponding sector as each pit. Specifically, when therecording data is the reproduced data from the CD-ROM drive 32, TOCdata, subcode and recorded data recorded on the CD-ROM are recorded aspits as they are.

A manner in which the CD-R drive 33 reproduces data from the CD-R willbe described next.

The spindle servo circuit 168 controls a rotational speed at which theCD-R is rotated by the spindle motor 141 through the motor driver 167 inresponse to the wobble signal Sw supplied thereto from the wobbledetector 175 or the read clock signal Swc supplied thereto from the ATIPdemodulator 176. This operation is the same as the spindle servo circuit168 performs upon recording.

Then, the system controller 166 searches information data at its frame(absolute time) to be reproduced. When detecting a predetermined frame(absolute time), the system controller 166 awaits the supply of headeraddress of data to be reproduced from the demodulator 165. When thetarget header address is detected, the data starts being reproduced fromthe above header address.

In order to reproduce the data, the system controller 166 outputs thedata reproduction enable signal Sir to the interface circuit 36 and thereproduced information data Dr output from the demodulator 165 istransmitted through the interface circuit 36 to the personal computer3 1. During a series of reproducing operations, the spindle servocircuit 168 is operated in response to the wobble signal Sw.

Disk copy processing from CD-ROM to blank disk!

As is clear from the arrangements of the CD-ROM drive 32 and the CD-Rdrive 33, the CD-R drive 33 can directly record data on the blank diskif data to be recorded is data from the CD-ROM drive 32. Therefore, ifthe user inputs a command "DISK COPY" to the personal computer 31 inorder to copy the data of the CD-ROM to the blank disk, then thepersonal computer 31 activates the CD-ROM drive 32 in response to the"DISK COPY" command inputted thereto. The CD-ROM drive 32 reproduces theCD-ROM loaded thereunto and transmits reproduced data through theinterface circuit (SCSI) 36 to the personal computer 31.

The personal computer 31 receives data transmitted from the CD-ROM drive32 and transmits together with a recording command the received datathrough the SCSI 36 to the CD-R drive 33. The CD-R drive 33 records dataof CD-ROM on the blank disk on the basis of the recording commandinputted thereto from the personal computer 31.

As described above, the user can copy the data of the CD-ROM to theblank disk easily by use of the personal computer 31.

Effects of CD-ROM on which data is recorded by the inventive datarecording apparatus!

A maximum data length of data recorded on the CD-ROM is generally largerthan 666.6 Mbytes which is the maximum recording data length of theblank disk because of the numerical aperture NA of the objective lens131 disposed on the recording optical system 126 (see FIG. 23) of themastering apparatus. Although the maximum data length is 670 Mbytes, ifdata lengths of file groups recorded on the CD-ROM are less and thewhole data length of recording data is less than the maximum recordingdata length of the blank disk, then data of the CD-ROM can be recordedon the blank disk as they are by the copy operation of the computersystem (see FIG. 5A).

However, in the CD-ROM with data recorded by the data recordingapparatus according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5D, datalengths of the recorded files are shorter. Therefore, even if the wholedata length of recorded data is less than the maximum recording datalength of the blank disk, the dummy data setting means 55 randomlyrecords dummy data of the number corresponding to the number of divideddata so that the whole data length of recording data can be expanded tothe maximum data length of the CD-ROM. In addition, the rearrangementmeans 57 shifts a part (path table) of the retrieval data at the end ofthe recording data and then the data is recorded. Thus, the followingeffects can be achieved.

Specifically, even when the recording data of the CD-ROM is recorded onthe blank disk as it is by use of the computer system to make a copyCD-R of the CD-ROM, data of the portion exceeding 666.6 Mbytes which arethe maximum recording data length of the blank disk cannot be recordedphysically.

In this case, even when those who are skilled in operating the personalcomputer 31 are going to remove dummy data and record only the file onthe blank disk, it is substantially impossible to know the number ofdummy data and the positions at which the dummy data are placed.Therefore, it is substantially difficult to carry out illegal copying byremoving the dummy data. In addition, since the dummy data isselectively given the invisible attribute, it becomes difficult toremove the dummy data by operating the computer 31.

Since the path table exists in the portion (dropped portion) of the datathat is not recorded on the blank disk as shown in FIG. 5D, even whenrecorded data on the CD-ROM is illegally used by reproducing the CD-R,it becomes difficult to reproduce the recorded data. As a consequence,the CD-R becomes substantially useless.

The user cannot recognize that the copy of the CD-R from the CD-ROM isuseless until the CD-R is actually reproduced. In this case, if the useris directly urged to recognize at the stage of operating the personalcomputer 31 that the illegal copy is not allowed, then this becomes moreeffective for preventing illegal copying.

Therefore, as one method for urging the user to inhibit the illegalcopy, the computer 31 which can effect the disk copy should preferablyinclude the following copy restriction means.

This copy restricting means is declared (registered) in a programinformation table on the DOS, for example, so as to be activated whenthe user enters a disk copy command or the like.

There are two methods of copy restricting means. In the first method,when the data length of recorded data on the CD-ROM, for example, islonger than the maximum recordable data length of the blank disk, theentered disk copy command is made invalid and the disk copy is forced tobe useless. In accordance with the second method, under theabove-mentioned conditions, although the disk copy operation itself isallowed, a message indicating that the disk copy is invalid is displayedon the picture screen of a monitor display to urge the user to recognizethat the illegal copy is substantially useless.

A copy inhibition means 201 for realizing the first method and a warninggenerating means 221 for realizing the second method will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 26 to 29.

The copy inhibition means 201 is activAled by the OS based on the copycommand entered thereto. As shown in FIG. 26, the copy inhibition means201 is composed of a TOC data reception means 205 for requesting theCD-ROM drive 32 to transmit the TOC data through the output port 202 ofthe personal computer 31. There is also a means for receiving the TOCdata transmitted through the input port 203 of the personal computer 1from the CD-ROM drive 32 and storing the received TOC data in thepredetermined region of a data RAM 204 in the personal computer 1.Additionally, there is a recording data length extracting means 206 forextracting a recording data length of the CD-ROM from the TOC datareceived by the TOC data reception means 205, an ATIP informationreception means 207 for requesting the CD-R drive 33 to transmit ATIPinformation through the output port 202 and receiving the ATIPinformation transmitted from the CD-R drive 33 through the input port203 and storing the received ATIP information in a predetermined regionof the data RAM 203, a maximum recordable data length extracting means208 for extracting maximum recordable data length data of the CD-R (orblank disk) from the ATIP information received by the ATIP informationreception means 207, a data length judging means 209 for comparing andjudging the extracted recording data length and the extracted maximumrecordable data length, a reproduction inhibit request output means 210for outputting a reproduction inhibit request signal to the CD-ROM drive32 through the output port 202, a recording inhibit request output means211 for outputting a recording inhibit request signal to the CD-R drive33 through the output port 202, and an error message output means 213for outputting error message data to the display 212 connected to thepersonal computer 31 through the output port 202.

In the copy inhibit means 201, in step S801 shown in FIG. 27, the TOCdata receiving means 205 outputs a data transmission request commandsignal to the CD-ROM drive 32 through the output port 202. The CD-ROMdrive 32 reproduces data on the basis of the command signal inputtedthereto from the personal computer 31 and the outputted TOC data of thereproduced data to the personal computer 31.

In step S802, the TOC data reception means 205 receives the TOC datainputted thereto through the input port 203 from the CD-ROM drive 32 andstores the received data in a predetermined region of the data RAM 204.

In step S803, the recording data length extracting means 206 extractsCD-ROM recording data length data from the TOC data stored in thepredetermined region of the data RAM 204.

In step S804, the ATIP information reception means 207 202 outputs anATIP information transmission request command signal to the CD-R drive33 through the output port 202. The CD-R drive 33 reproduces data basedon the above command signal supplied thereto from the personal computer31 and outputs ATIP information of the reproduced data to the personalcomputer 31.

In step S805, the ATIP information reception means 207 receives the ATIPinformation supplied thereto from the CD-R drive 33 through the inputport 203 and stores the received ATIP information in a predeterminedregion of the data RAM 204.

In step S806, the maximum recordable data length extracting means 208extracts maximum recordable data length data of blank disk from the ATIPinformation stored in the predetermined region of the data RAM 204.

In step S807, the data length judgement means 209 compares recordingdata length data value (recording data length) extracted by therecording data length extracting means 206 and the maximum recordabledata length data (maximum recordable data length) extracted by themaximum recordable data length extracting means 208.

If the recording data length is longer than the maximum recordable datalength, then the processing proceeds to the next step S808, where thereproduction inhibit request means 210 outputs the reproduction inhibitrequest signal to the CD-ROM drive 33 through the output port 202. TheCD-R drive 33 inhibits the recording operation from being effected onthe blank disk on the basis of the recording inhibit request signalinputted thereto from the personal computer 31. Thus, recording data isprevented from being copied from the CD-ROM to the CD-R.

In the next step S810, the error message output means 213 outputs errormessage data indicating "THIS CD-ROM CANNOT BE COPIED", for example, tothe display 212 through the output port 202. Then, the display 212displays the above-mentioned error message on a predetermined positionbased on the error message data inputted thereto from the personalcomputer 31.

When the output processing of the error message data at step S810 isended, the processing does not proceed to a copy command processing andthe copy inhibit means 201 is ended. Therefore, the copy commandprocessing routine is forced to be ended.

If on the other hand it is determined in step S807 that the recordingdata length of the CD-ROM is longer than the maximum recordable datalength of the blank disk, then the input copy command is made invalidand the disk copy from the CD-ROM to the CD-R is not effected.

A warning generating means 221 will be described with reference to FIGS.28 and 29. As shown in FIG. 28, the warning generating means 221includes the TOC data reception means 205, the recording data lengthextracting means 206, the ATIP information reception means 207, themaximum recordable data length extracting means 208 and the data lengthjudgment means 209 of the copy inhibit means 201, a warning messageoutput means 222 for outputting warning message data through the outputport 202 to the display 212, a key input data reception means 223 forreceiving key input data inputted thereto through the input port 203from the key input device such as a keyboard connected to the personalcomputer 31, and a key input data judgement means 224 for judging thecontent of the key input data.

Operation of the warning generating means 221 will be described below.Steps S901 to S907 are exactly the same in processing as steps S801 toS807 of the copy inhibition means 201, and therefore need not bedescribed in detail.

If it is determined in step S907 that the recording data length islonger than the maximum recordable data length, then the processingproceeds to the next step S908, where the warning message output means222 outputs warning message data indicating "INVALID DISK COPY FROMCD-ROM TO CD-R. <A>CANCEL, <B> EXECUTE" to the display 212 through theoutput port 202. The display 212 displays the warning message on apredetermined position of its picture screen based on the warningmessage data input thereto from the personal computer 31.

The user operates the key "A" if the user gives up copy based on thedisplay of the warning message. If the user recognizes that the diskcopy is invalid and that the user tries to do the disk copy, then theuser operates the key "B".

It is determined in step S909 by the key input data judgment means 224whether or not the key input data reception means 223 receives the keyinput data inputted thereto from the key input device 33. The step S909is repeated until the key input data reception means 223 receives keyinput data, i.e., the apparatus is placed in the standby mode awaitingthe inputted data entered by the key input device 35.

If the key input data is entered by operating the key input device 35 bythe user through the input port 203, then the key input data is receivedby the key input data reception means 223, and the processing proceedsto the next step S910.

It is determined in step S910 by the key input judgment means 224whether the content of the key input data represents "EXECUTE" or"CANCEL". If the content of the key input data represents "EXECUTE" asrepresented by a YES at decision step S910, then the processing proceedsto the copy command processing routine and the copy from the CD-ROM tothe CD-R is executed. In this case, however, in this disk copy, the pathtable data is dropped and therefore the copied CD-R becomessubstantially useless.

If it is determined in decision step S910 that the content of the keyinput data represents "CANCEL", then the processing does not proceed tothe copy command processing routine and the warning generating means 221is ended. Therefore, the copy command processing routine is forced to beended.

If it is determined in step S907 that the recording data length is lessthan the maximum recordable data length, then the processing proceeds tothe copy command processing routine, where the disk copy from the CD-ROMto the CD-R is executed.

As described above, according to the warning generating means 221, ifthe recording data length of the CD-ROM is larger than the maximumrecordable data length of the blank disk, then the disk copy operationitself is allowed but the message indicating that the disk copy issubstantially invalid is displayed on the display screen of the display212 to thereby urge the user to recognize that the illegal copy issubstantially useless. Thus, it becomes possible to effectively preventa successful illegal copy from being executed.

While the present invention is applied to the data recording on theCD-ROM and the inhibition of the illegal copy from the CD-ROM to theCD-R (blank disk) as described above, the present invention is notlimited thereto and the present invention is applied to CDs in whichmusic data are recorded. Furthermore, the present invention is notlimited to CD and CD-ROM but can be widely applied to a variety ofoptical disks and magneto-optical disks.

Furthermore, although recording data of CD-ROM can all be recorded ifthe maximum recordable data length recorded on the time information ATIPis selected to be more than 670 Mbytes by increasing the wobbling shape,in particular, wobbling pitch of pregroove on the blank disk, when dataof 666.6 Mbytes or greater are recorded on the blank disk, a clearancebetween adjacent recording pits is substantially removed from astandpoint of an ability (NA of objective lens, etc.) of a recordingoptical system mounted on the CD-R drive. As a result, in worst cases,there is the possibility that pits that should be recorded discretelywill be recorded as one successive pit. Therefore, even when therecording density of the blank disk is increased to be 670 megabytes orgreater, when the CD-R drive reproduces the blank disk, bit errors willfrequently occur and the blank disk becomes substantially useless.

We claim:
 1. A data recording method for recording data on a disk shapedrecording medium comprising the steps of:(a) making recording data whichsatisfies a relationship expressed as M≧W≧D whereM is a maximumrecordable data length defined by a standard of a first disk shapedrecording medium, W is a data length of the recording data to berecorded on the first disk shaped recording medium, and D is a datalength of effective data which is effective on access; and (b) recordingthe recording data made in step (a) on the first disk shaped recordingmedium,wherein the recording data made in step (a) has a relationship ofW>m, where m is a maximum recordable data length of a second disk shapedrecording medium that is associated with the first disk shaped recordingmedium.
 2. A data recording method according to claim 1,wherein arelationship between the recording data length W and the effective datalength is W>D, and wherein the recording data having a relationship ofW>m is achieved by adding invalid data to the effective data in the step(a).
 3. A data recording method according to claim 2, wherein theinvalid data has an invisible attribute.
 4. A data recording methodaccording to claim 1, wherein a part of the effective data is rearrangedin step (a).
 5. A data recording method according to claim 4, wherein apart of the data is disposed at the end of the recording data in step(a).
 6. A data recording method according to claim 5, wherein theeffective data comprises real data composed of a number of file groupsand retrieval data used to retrieve the real data and the part of thedata is a part or whole of the retrieval data.
 7. A data recordingapparatus for recording data on a disk shaped recording mediumcomprising:recording data making means for making recording data whichsatisfies a relationship expressed as M≧W≧D whereM is the maximumrecordable data length defined by the standard of a first disk shapedrecording medium, W is the data length of recording data which is to berecorded on the first disk shaped recording medium, and D is the datalength of effective data which is effective on access; and recordingmeans for recording the recording data made by the recording data makingmeans on the first disk shaped recording medium, wherein the data makingmeans makes the recording data have a relationship of W>m where m is amaximum recordable data length of a second data recordable disk shapedrecording medium associated with the first disk shaped recording medium.8. A data recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when arelationship between the recording data length W and the effective datalength is W>D, andwherein the recording data making means makes therecording data have a relationship of W>m by adding invalid data to theeffective data.
 9. A data recording apparatus according to claim 8,wherein the recording data making means includes attribute setting meansfor setting the invalid data in an effective data management file ashaving an invisible attribute.
 10. A data recording apparatus accordingto claim 8, wherein the recording data making means includes arearrangement means for rearranging a part of the effective data.
 11. Adata recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein therearrangement means disposes a part of the data at the end of therecording data.
 12. A data recording apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the effective data comprises real data composed of a number offile groups and retrieval data used to retrieve the real data and thepart of the data is a part or whole of the retrieval data.
 13. A diskshaped recording medium, wherein recording data which satisfies arelationship expressed as M≧W≧D is recorded whereM is the maximumrecordable data length defined by the standard of the disk shapedrecording medium, W is the data length of recording data which is to berecorded on the disk shaped recording medium, and D is the data lengthof effective data which is effective on access,wherein the recordingdata satisfies a relationship of W>m, wherein m is a maximum recordabledata length of a different data recordable disk shaped recording mediumwhich is associated with the disk shaped recording medium.
 14. A diskshaped recording medium according to claim 13, wherein the recordingdata is recorded under the condition that a part of the effective datais rearranged with other portions of the effective data.
 15. A diskshaped recording medium according to claim 14, wherein the recordingdata is recorded under the condition that a part of the effective datais disposed at the end of the recording data.
 16. A computer systemincluding a first storage device for reproducing information data from afirst disk shaped recording medium, a second storage device forrecording information data on a second disk shaped recording medium andcontrol apparatus for controlling the first and second storage devices,the computer system comprising:data length detection means for detectinga data length W of information data recorded on the first disk shapedrecording medium; detection means for detecting whether the data lengthW is longer than a maximum recordable data length m determined bystandards for the second disk shaped recording medium; and copyrestricting means for restricting information data recorded on the firstdisk shaped recording medium from being copied to the second disk shapedrecording medium when the detection means determines W>m.
 17. A computersystem according to claim 16, wherein the copy restricting meansincludes copy inhibiting means to inhibit the information data frombeing copied to the second disk shaped recording medium.
 18. A computersystem according to claim 16, wherein the copy restricting meansincludes warning generating means for generating a warning indicatingthat the copy is substantially invalid.
 19. A data copy preventingmethod for preventing information data having a recording data length Wrecorded on a first disk shaped recording medium from being copied to asecond disk shaped recording medium having a maximum recordable datalength m, the data copy preventing method comprising the stepsof:comparing the recording data length W and the maximum recordable datalength m; and restricting the information data recorded on the firstdisk shaped recording medium from being copied onto the second diskshaped recording medium when a comparison result is W>M.
 20. A data copypreventing method according to claim 19, wherein the information data isinhibited from being copied to the second disk shaped recording mediumas a copy restriction.
 21. A data copy preventing method according toclaim 19, wherein a warning indicating that a copy of the informationdata to the second disk shaped recording medium is invalid, is generatedas a copy restriction.